ARIYALUR, OCT 9 : Eleven workers were killed and five others injured in a major inferno that swept through a private country cracker factory at Vetriyur village in Ariyalur district of Tamil Nadu on Monday.

Police said the fire broke out this morning leading to a series of explosions, when the workers were engaged in making a variety of country crackers used for local festivals.

The series of explosions had razed down several warehouses and sheds, where huge stock of country crackers and highly inflammable chemicals were stored for sale.

The locals said gory images of charred bodies were seen scattered, while huge clouds of smoke billowed out of the factory, with repeated bursts of crackers resounding in the background.

Explosions could be heard across more than two kilometres in the village.

Police investigations revealed that the blast occurred due to friction while handling chemicals resulting in major fire.

Some of the bodies were mutilated beyond recognition, police said.

Fire tenders rushed to the spot and extinguished the fire after several hours of battle.

The injured were admitted to the government hospitals at Ariyalur and Thanjavur.

Several vehicles, including a tempo traveller and two-wheelers were also destroyed in the fire.

Police have registered a case and are searching for the owner of the factory Rajendran, who is absconding.

Chief Minister M.K.Stalin condoled the death of 11 persons and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 3 lakh each to the families of the deceased, Rs one lakh to the grievously injured and Rs 50,000 to those with simple injuries.

He directed the concerned authorities to provide best treatment to five injured persons, who were undergoing treatment at Thanjavur Medical College Hospital.(UNI)