A building reportedly collapsed in Tiruchi in Tamil Nadu following an explosion in the building on Thursday. Reports state that the fire broke out at Vetrivel Explosives Ltd.

Fire officials state that 16 workers were believed to be inside, and the death toll stands at 10 now. Rescue operations are on.

Nitric acid fumes have engulfed the area and emergency services are using foam to control the fumes.

"An explosion was heard at Vetrivel Explosives near Tiruchirappalli (333 km from Chennai) in the morning. The ground and first floors have collapsed," said G. Sathyanarayanan, deputy director-in-charge of Fire and Rescue services (central region), Tamil Nadu.

The fire has been contained.

The company reportedly manufactures mild explosives for mine digging and hard rock cracking.

"Once the debris is cleared, we would know about the number of fatalities, if any," Sathyanarayanan said.

(With IANS inputs)

(More details awaited)