By IANS,
Hyderabad : At least three people were killed and five injured Sunday in a massive fire at a chemical factory on the outskirts of Hyderabad, officials said.
The fire broke out in Durga Enterprises, a factory in Jedimetla industrial area, following a blast in one of the chemical reactors. Police and witnesses said 16 workers were in the plant when the accident took place.
Three workers were burnt to death and the condition of three of the injured was critical. Eight people managed to escape the mishap.
Fire-fighting personnel with seven fire engines fought for two hours to control the fire. A series of blasts in reactors and the presence of chemicals like sodium sulphate and potassium sulphate made their task difficult.
Officials from the industries department, after a visit to the site, said the chemical factory had no licence.
A police officer told reporters that two officials of the company were taken into custody. The owner of the company is not in town, the official said.