PALODE: The owner of a fireworks factory and a worker were killed in a lightning-triggered explosion at the factory at Nandiyodu. The deceased have been identified as Meenmutty native Sylus (65) and Susheela (55). Susheela's husband escaped miraculously by running away from the factory at the time of lightning.

The tragedy occurred when the explosives caught fire due to lightning. A nearby two-wheeler caught fire. The walls of the fireworks factory also collapsed.

The incident took place around 3.30 pm on Wednesday. Eight of the ten fireworks workers had returned half an hour earlier. Sylus and workers Susheela and Sukumaran were inside the shed. Sukumaran ran out from the factory as soon as the first explosive exploded. The explosion took place before the other two escaped from the factory. Susheela died at the scene while Sylus died while undergoing treatment at the Thiruvananthapuram Medical College at around 10.30 pm.

Susheela's body was buried at Nedumangad public cemetery and Sylus' body was buried at the house premises.