Bodies burnt beyond recognition and scores of injured lying all round presented a gory picture of a battleground at a nearby fireworks unit where a massive fire broke out in which 52 people perished.

Intermittent explosions were heard and flames threatened to engulf nearby buildings as rescuers fought thick plumes of smoke to reach those trapped. Shocked people huddled in groups and some carried those with severe burns to ambulances, which were rushed to the spot soon after the incident at Omshakti Fireworks.

A thick pall of smoke engulfed the area and was visible from a distance of over 1.5 km. A fire brigade official said 20 of the 40 rooms in the factory spread across 10 acres had been completely gutted and the debris was spread over a two kilometre radius.

He said they were unable to collect any data about the unit or workers as the people running it had fled the spot. Though it was not clear how the fire had broken out, it quickly spread to other rooms, he said, adding that rescue operations were hampered as there was no proper road connectivity.

In an ironic twist to the tragedy, some people who tried saving those in the factory were also trapped in the thick smoke.