TIA NEWS / AMN
At least 100 devotees were charred to death and over 350 injured in a fire accident at Puttingal temple during a festival at Paravur in Kollam district of Kerala early this morning.
A Home Ministry spokesperson said, 350 people have been injured and admitted to various hospitals.
Death toll rises to 105- updated at 12:04 PM
The spokesman said the fire broke out 
due to the explosion of crackers at the temple.
The fire has now been brought under control, and a thorough probe has been ordered into the incident.
State police, disaster management teams and fire brigade are on the spot for rescue and relief operations. The National Disaster Response Force is being sent to Kerala to assist the local administration.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed grief on the incident. In a tweet, Mr Modi said, he will be reaching Kerala soon to take stock of the situation. He said, he spoke to Chief Minister Oommen Chandy about the accident and asked him to arrange immediate shifting of those critically injured via helicopter.
Kollam Temple mishap: No permission granted for fireworks display
The Prime Minister has announced two lakh rupees each as compensation to the next of the kin of the dead, and 50,000 rupees each to those injured.
Mr Chandy, who is also rushing to the accident spot, said the situation was unprecedented and alarming. He said, the focus is to provide best treatment to the injured. The Chief Minister said, the State Chief Secretary has been asked to write a letter to the Election Commission for necessary sanction to exclude the treatment facilities to the injured from the ambit of the Election Code of Conduct.
The district administration has set up a control room number. The number is 0474-251-2344 (Repeat 0474-251-2344).
About Temple
Puttingal Temple is a Hindu temple in the coastal town of Paravur, Kollam. The temple was founded after the presence of the goddess was experienced on an ant hill; “Puttu” being the Malayalam word for ant Hill.
The festival of this temple is on the “Bharani” star of Malayalam month Meenam. Fireworks (Matsara Kambam) and other events associated with the festival (Aswathi vilakku, Kathakali, Kampadikali, Marameduppu) take place along with other cultural events. Various poojas are performed and offerings are made daily for the fulfillment of desires and redressal of various grievances of devotees.