Chemical Plant Blast Injures 8 in Southern India

Eight workers suffered injuries Saturday when fire broke out at a chemical plant in southern India, local media report. Three of the injured are listed in critical condition.

At about 1:30 p.m., witnesses heard a loud explosion at the Vindhya Organics chemical factory in Bollaram, Hyderabad. Firefighters arrived to find smoke rising from the building.

Fire officials believe a reaction in chemical solvent stored at the plant triggered the fire.

Although more than 50 workers on duty safely evacuated the facility firefighters were forced to combine fire operations with a search and rescue effort.