10 killed in major fire at cracker factory in southern India

At least 10 people were killed and 10 others sustained severe burn injuries in a major fire which broke out following a sudden explosion at a cracker factory in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu on Friday, a police official said. "The sudden explosion of crackers triggered the massive fire which engulfed the cracker factory near Kumbakonam in Tamil Nadu. Several employees were at work at the cracker manufacturing unit when the mishap happened," he said on condition of anonymity. The injured have been admitted to a local hospital, the official said, adding that a probe has been ordered into the incident. Explosions are common at cracker factories mainly located in Tamil Nadu. Earlier this year, 54 people were killed and 50 others injured in a devastating inferno at a cracker factory complex in Mudhalipatti in the state.