India army ammunition depot fire kills 17 people

At least 17 army staff have reportedly been killed and 19 others injured in a fire in a massive ammunition depot in western India.

A police source said the blaze at the Pulgaon depot started before dawn on Tuesday.

Defence Ministry spokesman Nitin Wakanker would only confirm that a fire had broken out at the ammunitions depot. He said details would be released after they emerged from the site.

New Delhi Television and other media said 17 army personnel died in the fire and 19 other people were injured.

About 1,000 villagers had been evacuated from around the area, NDTV said.

Ramesh Barde, a fire officer with the Nagpur fire department, told AFP: "The fire broke out at 1:30am and nearby fire engines reached the venue by 2:30am. The fire was brought under control by 6:15am. The situation is under control and a report is being prepared."

The ammunition depot, one of India's largest, is in Maharastra state's Wardha district.