NEW DELHI, June 7 (Xinhua) -- At least 18 workers were charred to death and eight others suffered severe burn injuries Wednesday in a devastating fire inside a fireworks factory in central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, local officials said.
The fire triggered series of blasts inside the factory at village Khairi in Balaghat district, about 437 km southeast of Bhopal, the capital city of Madhya Pradesh.
"Today at around 3:00 p.m. (local time) fire broke out inside a fireworks factory at village Khairi, triggering series of blasts," Bharat Yadav, Balaghat district collector told Xinhua. "Eighteen workers were killed and eight people have been admitted to hospital."
According to Yadav, rescuers have retrieved 18 bodies from the debris of factory.
Officials feared death toll is likely to go up as according to locals more than 40 workers mostly women were inside the factory at the time of fire.
Following the fire inside factory, local administration rushed firefighters and police to the spot to douse the flame and carry out rescue work.
The cause of blast and subsequent fire inside the factory was being ascertained.
Accidental explosions are common at Indian fireworks factories and shops.
