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Powerful Blast, Fire at India Chemicals Warehouse Kills 12

People stand at the site of fire at a factory in an industrial area on the outskirts of Ahmedabad, India, on Nov 4, 2020. (AP)
People stand at the site of fire at a factory in an industrial area on the outskirts of Ahmedabad, India, on Nov 4, 2020. (AP)
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Powerful Blast, Fire at India Chemicals Warehouse Kills 12

People stand at the site of fire at a factory in an industrial area on the outskirts of Ahmedabad, India, on Nov 4, 2020. (AP)
People stand at the site of fire at a factory in an industrial area on the outskirts of Ahmedabad, India, on Nov 4, 2020. (AP)

A major fire and a powerful blast Wednesday rocked a cotton factory warehouse storing chemicals in western India and killed 12 people, a rescue official said.

Twelve bodies were recovered from the warehouse on the outskirts of Ahmedabad in Gujarat state, according to National Disaster Response Force spokesman Krishan Kumar.

Television images showed several workers fleeing. Twenty-four fire engines and more than 50 firefighters doused the blaze after several hours, the fire control room said.

A portion of the warehouse collapsed, the Press Trust of India news agency said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was "anguished by the loss of lives due to the fire in the warehouse in Ahmedabad."

Some nearby buildings also were damaged, the New Delhi television news channel said.

Poor safety standards are a frequent cause of fires in India.

Last December, a fire believed to be caused by an electrical short circuit engulfed a building in New Delhi, killing at least 43 people.

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Trump Inauguration to Be Moved Indoors Due to Cold

A US Capitol Police officer walks with a K-9 dog in the seating area of the platform stage on the West Front of the US Capitol building, where the presidential inauguration traditionally takes place, on January 17, 2025, in Washington, DC. (AFP)
A US Capitol Police officer walks with a K-9 dog in the seating area of the platform stage on the West Front of the US Capitol building, where the presidential inauguration traditionally takes place, on January 17, 2025, in Washington, DC. (AFP)
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Trump Inauguration to Be Moved Indoors Due to Cold

A US Capitol Police officer walks with a K-9 dog in the seating area of the platform stage on the West Front of the US Capitol building, where the presidential inauguration traditionally takes place, on January 17, 2025, in Washington, DC. (AFP)
A US Capitol Police officer walks with a K-9 dog in the seating area of the platform stage on the West Front of the US Capitol building, where the presidential inauguration traditionally takes place, on January 17, 2025, in Washington, DC. (AFP)

Donald Trump said Friday that his inauguration as US president on Monday will be moved indoors due to expected freezing weather.

"There is an Arctic blast sweeping the Country," Trump wrote on his app Truth Social. "Therefore, I have ordered the Inauguration Address, in addition to prayers and other speeches, to be delivered in the United States Capitol Rotunda."

The dramatic change of plan means Trump will not stand on the Capitol steps overlooking the National Mall, which traditionally hosts a large crowd to welcome in new presidents.

The last time a president took the oath of office indoors was Ronald Reagan in 1985, who also moved the ceremony into the Capitol's ornate Rotunda due to dangerously cold weather.

Washington is forecast to be well below freezing on Monday, with the wind adding to the cold.

In his post, Trump said that "various Dignitaries and Guests" will attend the events inside the Capitol, including prayers, Trump's inaugural address, and singing of the anthem.

However, the Republican, who has built a political brand around his staging of large rallies, said supporters could watch the event on a live feed in Washington's Capital One sports arena -- and that he would go there after.

Trump, 78, said the ceremonies in the Rotunda "will be a very beautiful experience for all, and especially for the large TV audience!"

"We will open Capital One Arena on Monday for LIVE viewing of this Historic event, and to host the Presidential Parade. I will join the crowd at Capital One, after my Swearing In."