Blaze inside fireworks factory kills 5 in India

At least five people have been killed and four others suffered burn injures in a devastating blaze inside a fireworks factory in southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, police said.

The fire broke out Monday near Sattur in Virudhunagar district, about 543 km south of Chennai city, the capital of Tamil Nadu.

"Five workers were killed and four others seriously injured today after fire broke out at a fireworks factory here," a police official at Virudhunagar said, adding "the bodies were charred and of the dead three were women."

The fire triggered some explosions in the factory, which razed down one of the production units in its premises, police officials said, adding they had rushed several fire tenders to factory to douse flames.

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

Accidental explosions are common at Indian fireworks factories and shops. Endit