Police and local residents were trying to identify the victims after 86 people were killed early today in a fire at a temple in the southern Indian state of Kerala.

More than 300 people were reported injured, an official at the Kollam district police control room said. Most of the dead were men.

The Hindu newspaper reported that 102 people had died, many en route to hospital.

The fire was sparked by fireworks from a display celebrating a local festival, news reports said.

A spark landed on a stockpile of fireworks and set them ablaze, leading to several explosions in the crowded grounds of the Puttingal temple at around 3.30am (2215 GMT), Times Now television channel reported.

The building where the fireworks were stored came crashing down, injuring the crowds milling around it, a witness was quoted as saying by IANS news agency.

“Then it was absolute chaos and pieces of concrete were scattered all over the place and some of it were found over 500 metres away in a taxi stand,” said local television reporter Lallu Pillai.

Local government authorities had denied permission for the fireworks display, citing safety concerns, but the temple went ahead with it anyway, Times Now reported, quoting police.

Many victims were hurt in the stampede. Reports estimated 8,000 to 10,000 people were gathered in the temple grounds at the time.

Police filed charges against the temple authorities and the operators of the fireworks displays.

Kerala Chief Minister Oomen Chandy said a judicial investigation would be ordered into the incident.

Manorama News channel showed the fireworks followed by a blazing fire and explosions. Later video showed cranes and rescue workers trying to remove rubble to search for victims.

The fire was brought under control in about four hours, police said.

- dpa