At least 17 people were killed and 19 injured in a major fire at an Indian Army ammunition depot in the western state of Maharashtra on Tuesday, a police official said.

"The fire broke out around 1 a.m. local time at the Central Ammunition Depot at Pulgaon in the state and then spread quickly. Several fire tenders have been pressed into service to bring the blaze under control," he said, on condition of anonymity.

While 17 charred bodies have been recovered so far, 19 injured in the incident have been admitted to hospitals, the official said, adding that the death toll may go up as the condition of some of the injured are said to be serious.

A probe has been ordered into the incident, the official said.

Source: XINHUA