More than 70 killed in fire in temple in south India
Blaze sparked by fireworks stored ahead of Hindu new year festival this Thursday, officials say
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.
Copyright 2016 The Associated Press.