NEW DELHI, May 13 (Xinhua) -- At least four people were killed and 13 others injured Thursday after fire engulfed a pesticide factory in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, officials said.
The fire erupted in Kudikadu at State Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamil Nadu (SIPCOT) area of Cuddalore district, about 181 km south of Chennai, the capital city of Tamil Nadu.
"Three men and one woman were killed and 13 others injured after fire broke out inside a pesticide factory in Cuddalore SIPCOT area," a fire service official said. "The cause of the fire was not immediately known."
According to officials, a blast took place inside a pesticide reactor vessel at the manufacturing plant during the fire.
"The injured have been rescued and shifted to the Cuddalore government general hospital," the official said.
Reports said panic gripped the area after the blast went off and thick black smoke billowed from the factory.
Police have registered a case and ordered an investigation into the blaze. Enditem
