Firecracker plant fire kills at least 30 in India
(AP)
Updated: 2005-09-15 18:51

A fire engulfed three illegal firecracker factories in a village in the eastern Indian state of Bihar on Thursday, killing at least 30 people, an official said.

At least 50 others were reported injured in the fire in Khusropur village, 35 kilometers (22 miles) east of the state capital Patna, Superintendent of Police G. P. Sinha told The Associated Press by telephone.

The factories were being run from three houses in the village, and the injured included workers and family members of the owners, Sinha said.

A local government official, Mohammed Qasim Ansari, said the factories did not have valid licenses. He said the owner of one of the three factories had been arrested, and police were looking for the owners of the other two.

Fire trucks rushed to the site. Sinha said the cause of the fire was not immediately known.

Fire safety standards are not followed at most small-town factories in India, many of them running illegally. Evacuation plans are almost never in place at such establishments.

Close

Suicide bombing kills at least 152 in Iraq Afghanistan's President calls for increased support Hurricane Ophelia

Today's Top News     Top World News
Hu: China to provide US$10b for poor countries         China not planning more yuan revaluations         China: Sides far apart in N. Korea talks         Bush appreciates China's assistance         Hurricane Ophelia soaks North Carolina         US President Bush to visit China in November	Revised 9/11 panel report released       Bush to announce new help for hurricane region       Firecracker plant fire kills at least 30 in India       Four bombings kill at least 31 in Iraq       Aceh rebels set to hand over weapons under accord       Annan seeks to restore UN credibility