A fire at a shoe factory in Vietnam last week killed 17 people, according to local news reports.
The factory, in the northern port city of Hai Phong, caught fire when sparks from building work ignited roof insulation.
According to Thanh Nien newspaper, a welder was attempting to install a lightning rod on the factory’s tin roof in anticipation of a tropical storm.
The news source said that insulation fell to the factory floor in a fireball, blocking the workshop’s only entrance before ‘quickly engulfing piles of shoemaking materials.’
"The fireball blocked the factory’s main entrance and there is no exit on the back," survivor, Bui Thi Themtold the Thanh Nien newspaper, AFP news agency reported.
"Many people in the middle of the factory which was engulfed with fire and smoke could not escape and were burned to death."
Tuoi Tre newspaper said six workers managed to escape unhurt.
It said the factory has been in operation for nearly a month.
The BBC said that six people, including the factory owner, her husband and a welder, have been detained over the incident.
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