Tiruvannamalai firecrackers kill eight

Tiruvannamalai, Sept 25 (ANI): A massive accident took place when fire erupted in a building stocked with firecrackers in Tamil Nadu's Tiruvannamalai district.

The fire led to the bursting of the crackers, leading to a major explosion, which caused the three-storey building to collapse, killing eight people, injuring 15 others and trapping around 25 people underneath.

The building is owned by a local Baba Sahib, who used to sell crackers, during festival of Deepawali.

The incident took place last night and the intensity of the explosion caused substantial damage to nearby houses as well.

Reportedly, four families were living in the building where the crackers were stored.

Three bodies were recovered from the debris and the injured were taken to nearby government-run hospital.

Search was on to look for more people trapped in the debris.

The cause of the fire is still not known but investigations are on to probe the incident.

The narrow street and heavy crowd of onlookers somewhat slowed down the rescue operation. (ANI)