8 die in blaze at Andhra cracker unit

Eight persons, including two women, were killed and seven injured in a blaze at a firecracker manufacturing unit in the Anakapalli district of Andhra Pradesh on Sunday.

"Eight persons died and seven others were injured in the fire accident. While the injured are being shifted to hospitals, further details are awaited," said state Home Minister V Anitha.

The fire broke out around 12.45 pm, and officials are currently focused on recovering the bodies and shifting the injured to hospitals.

Locals were also assisting the police at the scene, a police official said.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu expressed shock over the incident and directed the minister and district officials to ensure proper medical care for the injured, an official release said.

The CM also ordered an inquiry into the incident and asked officials to submit a report to him.

YSRCP chief YS Jagan Mohan Reddy also expressed shock and urged the government to support the victims. He asked his party leaders to extend all possible assistance.