Blazes at fireworks factories kill at least 25

HYDERABAD, India -- Fires broke out in two fireworks factories in southern India, killing at least 25 people, police said Wednesday.

The fires hit the factories as Hindus prepared for Diwali, a religious festival next month that is celebrated with fireworks.

One fire erupted in a warehouse early Wednesday, killing 13 people and critically injuring four. Most of the victims were sleeping in a small inn next door to the factory in a crowded section of the southern city of Hyderabad, capital of Andhra Pradesh state, officials said. In neighboring Tamil Nadu state, 12 people were killed in a fire Tuesday night at a straw-thatched firecracker warehouse in Villupuram, 110 miles south of Madras, the state capital.

Police were investigating both blazes.

The fire in Hyderabad was probably sparked by a short circuit, said Chandrababu Naidu, chief minister for Andhra Pradesh. The chief minister visited the fire scene and said a reward would be given to neighbors who saved 22 people from the inn and helped put out the fire.

"We broke open the windows and removed the air conditioners to enter the building," said Sarfaraz Alam, who led the rescue operations along with other neighbors.

The fire was so intense that the entire five-story complex was destroyed. A bank, several nearby shops and a large grocery store were also destroyed.

The warehouse belonged to Shanti Fire Works, one of the city's leading fireworks makers. Police said they were investigating whether the company had a permit to keep such a large stock of firecrackers in such a densely populated area.