Indian temple fire kills at least 75 people

More than 75 people were killed in a massive fire that broke out at the Puttingal temple in the Indian state of Kerala early Sunday . Another 200 have been injured as people became trapped by flames in the crowded Paravoor temple in Kollam city during a major festival, said State Home Minister Ramesh Chennitala. The fire started when a spark during a fireworks display ignited a separate batch of fireworks that had been stored in the temple in preparation for the Hindu new year festival called Vishu this coming Thursday, he said. The temple was gutted as huge flames engulfed the building within minutes, trapping devotees within the temple. The wounded have been shifted to different hospitals in the city of Kollam and also to a medical college, Kerala Assistant Commissioner M.S. Santhosh said.