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Fire in firecracker factory kills 16 in India

(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-07-08 14:40

NEW DELHI: A fire tore through a firecracker factory in southern India, killing at least 16 people and injuring an additional 25, news reports said Wednesday.

The Press Trust of India news agency reported that Tuesday night's blaze occurred in Madurai in the southern state of Tamil Nadu.

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Eight people died immediately and the others died on the way to the hospital, the report added.

The cause of fire was not immediately known and local officials could not be immediately reached for comment.

Several television networks also reported 16 deaths in the blaze.

The area is about 440  southwest of state capital Chennai.