New Delhi, Jun 7 (PTI) Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu Monday condoled the loss of lives in a fire at a chemical firm in Maharashtra's Pune district.

At least 12 workers, mostly women, were killed and five others were missing after a major fire broke out at a chemical firm in an industrial area in Pune district on Monday afternoon, fire department officials said.

"Pained to hear the news of the loss of lives in a fire accident in a factory in Pune," the Vice President Secretariat tweeted, quoting Naidu.

"My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured," he said.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)