15 killed as cracker factory catches fire in central India

At least fifteen persons, including three children, were killed as a cracker factory catches fire Saturday in Ujjain of central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, local news channel CNN-IBN reported. The cracker factory, located near Khob Darwaza area in the city, caught fire at around 4.45 PM, in which eight women, four men and three children were killed, Additional Superintendent of Police ( ASP) Pankaj Shrivastava told the media. Fire engines and rescue team rushed to the spot and the fire is under control after over an hour. Around four people also suffered serious burn injuries and were rushed to a hospital, and the death toll is likely to rise, the police said. Yusuf Hussain, owner of the factory, was immediately detained and the cause of the fire was yet to be known.