Serious security lapses in handling of explosives led to the fire disaster at Puttingal temple in Kollam, Kerala, on April 10, Chief Controller of Explosives said in a report submitted to the Government of India. Explosive chemicals exceeding the norms in intensity, quantity and size were used to raise the decibels, the report said.

The festival organisers ignored the basic rule that the shed for storing fireworks should be located at least 100 metres away from the display site. The Explosives Act clearly mentions the size of the rockets (‘amittu’) that burst into colourful patterns as they progress through the sky from one stage to another. But the seize of the rockets used at Puttingal was almost 10 times above the prescribed limits. The standard size of the iron barrels used for launching the rockets is 8-10-12. Nearly half of the long barrels should be below the ground and be firmly fixed by tying them with iron rods used in concrete.

These rules were not followed at Puttingal. In fact, a barrel tilted during the rocket launch and instead of going up it went straight into the shed where a huge pile of fireworks was stored. The Kerala High Court has banned the use of high-decibel crackers and fireworks display after sunset in places of worship across the state in the wake of the temple fire tragedy in Kollam that has claimed more than 110 lives.