18 People Killed by Fire Near Lagos

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, September 17, 2002

18 People Killed by Fire Near Lagos

At least 18 people were killed in abig fire occurred in a plastic factory during early hours of Monday in Ikorodu, some 20 km from Lagos, a managerial staff of the factory told Xinhua.

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At least 18 people were killed in abig fire occurred in a plastic factory during early hours of Monday in Ikorodu, some 20 km from Lagos, a managerial staff of the factory told Xinhua.

"The death toll could be as many as some 20 because there were more than 20 workers on night shift in the workshop when the fire broke out in about 1:30 a.m. (0030 GMT)," said the staff who refused to be named.

"Most of the dead died of poisonous gas suffocation," he added.

In front of the factory's gate, there were six dead bodies burned without recognition.

As the bad news spread, hundreds of local people and workers rushed into the factory. Unfortunately among them are many robberswho set fire on the factory at many places and looted the factory,causing even bigger fires and unrest in the factory, witnessed said.

Police forces have been dispatched to the factory area to blockthe factory with the outside.

A police officer told reporters that quite a number of suspectssupposed to loot the factory have been arrested.

The factory's managerial staff said the loss is tremendous since the factory's warehouse is still on fire at press time. "Thecause of the suspicious fire is still unknown," he said.

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