CHENNAI: A 26-year-old worker from Bihar was killed, and seven other guest workers suffered severe burn injuries after a furnace boiler exploded at a private steel melting unit in the SIPCOT Industrial Estate at Gummidipoondi in Tiruvallur district early on Tuesday.The deceased was identified as Ravi Ranjan (26), a native of Bihar. Police said the accident occurred when a furnace used to melt copper materials exploded due to excessive heat during operations.The powerful blast ripped through the furnace, killing Ravi Ranjan on the spot. Molten metal splashed onto seven other workers from northern states, leaving them with serious burn injuries.On receiving information, personnel from the Gummidipoondi SIPCOT Fire and Rescue Services rushed to the factory and brought the fire that broke out following the explosion under control.The injured workers were rescued and admitted to the Government Kilpauk Medical College Hospital in Chennai, the Government Hospital in Gummidipoondi, and nearby private hospitals for treatment.Police recovered Ravi Ranjan’s body and sent it to the Government Hospital in Ponneri for post-mortem examination. The Gummidipoondi SIPCOT police have registered a case and are investigating the cause of the explosion.
