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Ist Ld Writethru: Blaze inside fireworks shop kills 8 in India

Xinhua, October 29, 2016 Adjust font size:

At least eight people were killed and several others suffered burn injures Friday in a devastating blaze at a shop selling fireworks in western Indian state of Gujarat, police said.

The fire broke out inside shop at Rustampura village of Vadodara district, about 135 km south of Gandhinagar city, the capital of Gujarat.

"This evening fire broke out inside a shop selling fireworks and immediately spread to the neighbouring shops," a senior police official posted in Vadodara said. "The devastating blaze killed eight people and injured several others, some of them critically."

Following the inferno, firefighters and police rushed to the spot to prevent flames from spreading in the locality.

"Immediately fire tenders reached the spot to bring fire under control," the official said.

Firefighters have retrieved eight bodies from the shop and helped injured to reach the nearest medical facility.

The cause of fire was not immediately known. However, primary investigations carried out by the police said stock of fireworks piled up inside the shop enhanced the fire and worsened situation.

Accidental explosions are common at Indian fireworks factories and shops.

In India firecrackers are set off during festivals, weddings and other merrymaking ceremonies. Endit