Five killed in Chhattisgarh factory blast

At least five labourers were burnt to death Friday in a blast in a Chhattisgarh factory, police said.

The blast rocked the Navbharat Fuse Company Ltd, a manufacturer of explosives, detonators and electrical fuse, located in the Abhanpur area, about 35 km from here early in the morning when workers were sleeping inside the plant.

The explosion was so intense that half the factory building was reduced to ashes and bodies were recovered in pieces.

"The explosion occurred in the explosives stored in the factory. Forensic experts are trying to find out the exact cause of the blast," Superintendent of Police O.P. Pal said.

Chief Minister Raman Singh has ordered a probe into the death of workers and insisted the factory management financially back the kin of the deceased.

Opposition Congress has also called for a fair and speedy probe into the matter and sought action against the plant authorities for alleged laxity.