Bangladesh garment factory fire kills 25

Fire official Golam Mostafa said the fire started in a 10-storey factory owned by local business giant Hameem Group in the Ashulia industrial zone, just outside Dhaka. It was not immediately clear what caused the blaze, and the government ordered an investigation.

While it was generally thought to be an accident, some believed it could be arson.

Interior Minister Shahara Khatun said after visiting the site that her ministry would investigate whether it was related to recent violent protests at textile factories over wages.

Monir Hossain, a local journalist at the scene, told The Associated Press the blaze broke out on the two upper floors during lunch break. A gate on a stairwell was locked, trapping people inside the factory, which mainly produces T-shirts for international brands, he quoted witnesses as saying.

Another journalist, Rafiqul Islam, said he saw at least 25 bodies being loaded onto ambulances.

Diganta television reported at least 26 people died and more than 100 were injured. ATN News said rescuers recovered at least 24 bodies.

Islam said about 13,000 people work at the factory each day, though most were outside buying lunch when the fire started.


Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2010/12/14/bangladesh-factory-fire.html#ixzz18DjKbkr1

Bangladesh garment factory fire kills 25