At least 106 people are killed and about 300 seriously injured in a major fire broke out at a temple in Indian state of Kerala in the early hours on Sunday.

According to police death toll are likely to increase, reports Times of India. 

‘The fire at Puttingal Devi temple in Kollam district of Kerala would have caused due to spark that led to fireworks stocked for the celebrations. Preliminary estimate says that there were more than thousands of people at the temple premises when fire broke out.’

‘According to eye witnesses the accident occurred during the final stages of the fireworks when a spark from a cracker landed in a building that had stored stockpiles of fire crackers.  The fire completely destroyed temple roof.’ ‘The police registered cases against the temple authorities and the contractors.’

‘Kerala chief minister Oomen chandy said that the death toll may increase and the state government has requested the centre government to extend all possible help in this hour of crisis.’

‘Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced Rs 2 lakhs each as compensation  to the next of those killed.’ ‘According to latest reports coming in one of the contractor is also killed in the accident.’

‘According the district administration, the collector had  earlier denied permission for stocking the fire crackers. ‘But temple authorities went ahead with the celebration.’

Local media reports that delay in rescue operations increased the death toll.  More than 45 people died on the spot. Four helicopters of the IAF are also used for shifting the injured to various hospitals. The injured had been shifted to various hospitals in Kollam and Thiruvanathapuram districts.’

‘Many injured are battling for life in various hospitals. According to doctors condition of about 10 people are highly critical.’

‘Earlier in the morning prime minister Naredra Modi spoke  to chief minister Oomen Chandy and assured him  all help from the centre. In a message prime minster termed the accident as heart rendering and shocking. Prime minster Modi has directed Health Minister J P Nadda to rush to Kerala. Modi is travelling to Kollam with a team burn specialists. Karnataka government has sent a team of doctors to Kollam.’

‘Chief minister Oomen Chandy has said that the rescue operations at the accident site were over by 8:00am and the challenge now is to provide best treatment to the injured.

‘Helicopters are used to ferry injured to various hospital. The state chief secretary has wrote to election commission for necessary sanction to exclude treatment facilities from the election code of conduct.’

‘Kerala health minister V S Sivakumar said that the state government will give free treatment to all injured even if they are treated in private hospitals.’

‘Puttingal Devi temple is known for its competitive fireworks held as part of the annual festival celebrations. According to local media reports the some residents living close to the area where the fireworks celebrations are held approached the district authorities against competitive fireworks.’

‘And on the basis of complaints district collector has denied permission citing safety norms. According to locals some have even expressed apprehensions against stocking huge stock piles of fireworks without adequate security measures. But there are reports that though the district authorities denied permission for fireworks, it has allowed the temple authorities to perform the fireworks as part of the rituals. But despite the restrictions the temple authorities went ahead with the competitive fireworks which led to accident.’

‘Fireworks started at about twelve in the night.  According to reports appearing in the local media, the police has instructed the temple authorities to stop the fireworks at about 3:00am in the morning. Before the authorities could act on the instructions the accident took place. State home minister Remesh Chennithala has said that a judicial enquiry will be ordered into the accident.’