10 killed, 15 injured in fire at explosives making factory

Ten persons were feared killed and 15 injured in a fire at an explosive-making unit at Murugapatti, about 40 km from here, on Thursday, police said.

The reason for the fire was not known immediately, police said, adding, three fire fighting units and 10 ambulances were pressed into service.

The fire was noticed in one of the manufacturing wings of the factory and it soon spread to other areas. The noise triggered panic among people in the surrounding area and waves of the blast were felt even two km away from the site, forcing officials to stop traffic on Athur road, police said.