Ariyalur/UNI: In a tragic incident, ten workers, including three women, were killed and 14 others injured in an explosion triggered by a massive inferno at a 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 that had razed down several warehouses and sheds, where huge stock of country crackers and highly inflammable chemicals were stored.

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

The bodies were mutilated beyond recognition.

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 destroyed in the fire.

Ariyalur District Collector J.Anne Mary Swarna and senior police officials visited the site and held inquiries.

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

The police were also investigating to ascertain if there were any violations of safety norms.