Eight people were dead when a garment plant caught fire early Saturday in Huzhou, a manufacturing center in east China's Zhejiang Province, the local government said.

Thirty-two people were present when flames engulfed the privately-owned plant on West Ankang Road in Zhili Town at around 3:46 AM.

The local fire brigade sent 11 fire engines to the site. The fire was put out at 4:19 AM.

Twenty-four people were rescued. The firemen found eight dead bodies when they cleaned up the site.

Police is investigating the case.

Zhili Town is a renowned production base of children's wear and many garment workshops are privately-owned.

A children's clothes store in Zhili caught fire on September 20, killing 15 and leaving one missing.

(Xinhua News Agency October 21, 2006)