“The main fire at one of the sheds has been extinguished. The situation is being stabilised. Secondary fire and explosions cannot be ruled out now,” the Army officer added.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asked Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar to visit Maharashtra’s Pulgaon to take stock of situation. Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar will visit Pulgaon later today.

Modi on Tuesday expressed grief over the deaths caused by a fire at Central Ammunition Depot in Wardha in Maharashtra. “My thoughts are with the bereaved families. I pray that those who are injured recover quickly,” Modi tweeted. “Have asked Manohar Parrikar to take stock of the situation,” he said.

Congress president Sonia Gandhi has expressed shock and deep anguish at the reported death of jawans and officers in the fire at Central Ammunition Depot near Wardha.

Following the mishap, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said in a tweet: “News of fire at Central Ammunition Depot, Pulgaon is very unfortunate and disturbing. Spoke to Wardha collector & took stock of the situation.”

The fire at the ammunition dump is reported to have spread after secondary explosions.

Three nearby villages have been evacuated. People from other villages are also being taken to a safe distance.

The casualty figure is expected to rise since several others have been injured critically in the accident.

Explosions could still be heard, almost eight hours after the fire broke out around 2 am today. Water to extinguish fire is being transported from the tankers of nearby villages.

Army says firefighters have controlled the massive blaze, but smaller fires and repeated explosions remain a concern.

One shed reportedly caught fire after the initial explosion. Army is not ruling out sabotage behind the tragedy.

The central ammunition depot at Pulgaon, 110 km from Nagpur, is one India’s biggest ammunition depots.