A blast at a chemical factory in Shirpur, India has killed at least twelve people and injured around 50 others, according to reports. Footage of the accident shows an inferno enveloping the damaged building.

There were around 100 workers at the factory at the time of the explosion on Saturday morning, with some people feared to be trapped inside the building.

A purported video of the accident shows fire and a large plume of black smoke rising from the premises.

#NewsAlert: At least 8 killed in an explosion at a chemical factory in Shirpur. Many feared to be trapped inside. Full story here: https://t.co/UoBUrcnR6cpic.twitter.com/qfPucoLwsQ — Mumbai Mirror (@MumbaiMirror) August 31, 2019

A police officer told Reuters that a 200-liter chemical barrel had exploded, causing fire to spread through the factory.

The explosions were so powerful that they could be heard and felt from 5km (3.1 miles) away, news reports said.

The fire was quickly extinguished, while emergency workers rushed to rescue those still trapped inside the building.

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