NEW DELHI, Sept. 25 (Xinhua) -- At least eight people were killed and more than 25 others injured in a major fire at an illegal fireworks factory in the eastern Indian state of Jharkhand, officials said Monday.
The fire broke out at the illegal factory at Kumardubi village in Jharkhand's East Singhbhum district on Sunday night.
"A large quantity of firecrackers were stored as well as being manufactured illegally in the factory. Somehow, the stored firecrackers caught fire. The blaze triggered explosion," sub-divisional officer (Ghatsila) Arvind Kumar told the media.
"A wall of the house also collapsed in the fire, trapping under the debris some people. Fire fighters are still trying to look for survivors," he added.
While eight people have died, those injured were admitted to a local hospital with burn injuries. "Some of the victims were working as laborers in factory, while others are locals," another official said.
Local lawmaker of India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party Bidyut Baran Mahato has said that state Chief Minister Raghubar Das had assured him that a compensation of 200,000 rupees (3,000 U.S. dollars) would be given to the familes of those killed.
Every year, many people are killed in fire in illegal fireworks factories in India because of lack of safety norms.
