Fire destroys factory, killing 27 people

Dhaka (AP):

At least 27 people were reportedly killed after a devastating blaze raced through a garment factory that supplies major multinationals such as Gap and JCPenney near Bangladesh's capital yesterday.

Many of the dead included trapped workers who jumped from the smoldering building engulfed by flames, witnesses at the scene said.

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

Interior Minister Shahara Khatun said after visiting the site her ministry would probe 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 27 people died and more than 100 were injured. ATN News also said rescuers recovered 27 bodies.

Officials predicted the death toll would rise, said Islam.

A witness named Kader said he saw 50 to 60 people jumping off the 10th floor to escape the raging blaze, according to Associated Press Television News. Kader, like many Bangladeshis uses one name.