Indian temple fire kills nearly 80, triggered by fireworks display

A huge fire swept through a temple in India's southern Kerala state early on Sunday, killing nearly 80 people and injuring over 200 gathered for a fireworks display to mark the start of the local Hindu new year. Thousands of people had packed into the Puttingal Devi temple and the narrow lanes around it. The fireworks display began at midnight and went on for hours. One of the crackers then fell on a shed where the fireworks were stored, setting off an explosion and the fire, local television reported. The temple is located in Kollam district, about 70 km from the state capital Thiruvananthapuram.