With two more persons succumbing to their injuries in the hospital, the toll in the explosion at a cracker manufacturing unit near here has gone up to five even as three persons were arrested in the case, police said.

While three persons died on the spot, eight others were injured, two of whom succumbed to their burn injuries on Sunday night at the government hospital, they said.

The victims were workers of the unit at Narayanapuram village, four km from Sivakasi, the country’s fireworks hub, and they were engaged in making crackers when the explosion occurred on Sunday.

Police said two foremen at the unit and an accountant were arrested this morning under various IPC sections and Explosives Act.

The owner of the unit and its manager are absconding, police said, adding, a hunt is on to nab them.

The explosion apparently occurred due to friction between the chemicals.