Firefighters controlled raging flames yesterday at India's main space centre after a powerful explosion ripped through a research facility, killing up to six people and seriously wounding three others. Madhavan Nair, the head of India's space programme, launched an inquiry into the fire at the solid propellant plant at the government's Dhawan Space Centre, on Sriharikota Island just off India's southeastern coast. Nair, the chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation, said there was no immediate setback to the space programme. The fire killed six people and extensively damaged the building before it was brought under control yesterday evening, police officials in the Nellore district of coastal Andhra Pradesh state said on condition of anonymity. "As of now, this will not affect any of our immediate projects," Nair said. Three injured scientists were flown to the city of Madras, about 100km from the island. Two of the dead were labourers while officials said the others were technical staff. The space centre is the main launch base of the Indian Space Research Organisation and has been used to launch several Indian, German, Korean and Belgian satellites. The centre processes solid propellants used in its rocket and satellite programme. **PHOTO CAPTION*** Six people were killed when a fire ripped through India's main space centre at Sriharikota. (AFP/File)