20 killed in ammunition depot blaze in India

NEW DELHI - At least 20 people were killed, including two army officers and 18 soldiers, and 17 others injured after a fire broke out early Tuesday at a military ammunition depot in the western state of Maharashtra, said officials.

The area has been cordoned off. Some 1,000 residents of nearby villages have been evacuated and army helicopters were pressed into service to help in the evacuation of the injured.

The central ammunition depot at Pulgaon is one of India's biggest ammunition depots, which is around 110 km from Nagpur in Maharashtra. It recently got an award for using solar energy for disposing expired ammunition.

The fire broke out around 1 am (local time). The death toll may go up as the condition of some of the injured, who are currently recuperating in hospitals, are said to be serious, said police.

Local TV channels showed footage of the raging fire and reported that several fire tenders have been pressed into service to bring the blaze under control.

Cause of the fire is not known, and a major probe has been ordered, the police official said.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed shock and pain over the incident and ordered Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar to visit the spot immediately.