| GEO World | | Firework factory fire kills 17 in India | Updated at: 1309 PST, Wednesday, July 08, 2009
 CHENNAI: Indian police were investigating Wednesday a fire in a fireworks factory that killed at least 17 people in the southern state of Tamil Nadu. At least 21 others were injured when the fire broke out Tuesday evening in a suburb of Madurai, 500 kilometers (310 miles) from the state capital Chennai.
Police said the impact of the resulting explosions caused the building to collapse. "The incident occurred while packing the crackers," said police official.
It took four hours for fire officials to control the blaze, and their efforts were hampered by a water shortage. The cause of the fire has yet to be determined.
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