Hyderabad/IBNS: At least 15 people were killed and 17 others injured after a fire broke out at a pharmaceutical firm unit in Andhra Pradesh’s Anakapalli district on Wednesday, media reports said.

The fire broke out at an Escientia Company plant in the Atchutapuram Special Economic Zone.

Anakapalli district collector Vijaya Krishnan told the media that the fire did not break out as a result of a reactor blast.

Initial media reports suggested that the fire broke as a result of a blast in one of the chemical reactors.

He suspected an electricity-related fire behind the incident, said reports.

According to the collector, 13 people who were trapped in the unit were rescued.

The injured have been shifted to the NTR Hospital for treatment.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu expressed grief over the loss of lives.

"The CM assured that the government will stand by the families of the workers who died," said an official press release.

The blaze reportedly broke out during lunchtime when most staffers were not at work, averting a bigger disaster.