Virudhunagar, Feb 12 (UNI) In a tragic incident, seven workers were charred to death and 24 others seriously injured in a major inferno that swept through a private fireworks factory at Achankulam village near Sattur in this district on Friday.

Police said the fire broke out at Sri Mariyammal Fireworks Factory this afternoon leading to a series of explosions, when the labourers were engaged in making fancy variety crackers.

Preliminary investigations revealed that friction while handling the chemicals was the reason for the fire tragedy.

Gory images of charred bodies of the deceased were seen scattered, while huge clouds of smoke billowing out of the factory, with repeated bursts of firecrackers resounded in the background, the locals said.

Explosions could be heard across more than two kilometers in the village.

Fire tenders from Sattur and Sivakasi rushed to the spot and extinguished the blaze after a couple of hours of battle.

The injured were rushed to government hospitals at Sattur and Sivakasi.

The toll might go up as the condition of few workers was stated to be critical.

District Collector R.Kannan told newsmen that a detailed probe would be conducted into the fire accident.

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