NEW DELHI — More than 70 people were killed in a massive fire that broke out in a temple in the southern Indian state of Kerala early Sunday, a top official said.
Another 200 have been injured as people became trapped by flames in the crowded Paravoor temple in Kollam city during a major festival, said State Home Minister Ramesh Chennitala.
The fire started when a spark during a fireworks display ignited a separate batch of fireworks that had been stored in the temple in preparation for the Hindu new year festival called Vishu this coming Thursday, he said.
The fireworks erupted in a big explosion.
The temple was gutted as huge flames engulfed the building within minutes, trapping devotees within the temple, he said.
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