Chennai, Sep 4 (TIWN) Seven women died and several others were injured in a firecracker factory blast in Cuddalore district in Tamil Nadu on Friday, said the police.

Police said C Gandhimathi, proprietor of the fireworks’ unit, her daughter and seven woman workers reached the unit in the morning for manufacturing fireworks for Diwali season. The unit had a stock of fireworks manufactured earlier.  They were performing puja in a small building before resuming work when an accidental blast razed the building killing five women, including Gandhimathi, on the spot. Two women died in hospital while two others were undergoing treatment. The unit has been functioning for the past 30 years. Police said the proprietor renewed the licence of the unit last week.