At least 112 people were killed and 54 injured on Monday after a major fire broke into a slaughterhouse in China's Jilin province, said authorities.
The incident took place around 6 a.m. in the slaughterhouse owned by the Jilin Baoyuanfeng Poultry Company in Mishazi township of Dehui city, about 100 km northeast of the provincial capital Changchun, reported Xinhua.
More than 300 workers were present in the plant when the fire ignited, said survivors who added they heard a sudden sound and then saw dark smoke filling the entire premises.
About 100 workers managed to escape from the plant as the gate was locked when the fire broke out.
"I started working at 6 a.m. along with another 100 workers in my workshop. There were two workshops in the plant," said Wang Fengya, a 44-year-old female worker who suffered burn injuries while escaping.
"Soon after, someone shouted 'run away!' and we quickly ran to the exit, which is about 40 metres away from my seat. Suddenly, the lights inside went out and the plant got quite dark," said Wang, adding that her legs felt like jelly as she fled.
Wang added that she fell down and hurt herself while escaping from the fire.
"When I finally ran out and looked back at the plant, I saw high flames," she added.
The plant has complicated interior structure and narrow exits, which made it
more difficult to escape and exits added difficulties to the rescue work,
sources said.
The building's steel frame and dense smoke were visible at the scene after the
fire was put out at noon.
The environmentalists have started monitoring the environmental impact of the fire.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Established in September 2009, Jilin Baoyuanfeng Poultry Company has 1,200 employees and an annual output amounting to 67,000 tonnes of chicken products.
-With inputs from IANS
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