Seven female workers died in a fire at an underwear factory located in a residential building in south China's Shenzhen city.

The local Information Times newspaper reports the fire started at 8:10 AM on Sunday. It trapped 15 employees in a workshop on the second floor of the building in the Baoan District of the city.

Three women escaped by way of a stairwell while another five were rescued by firemen after taking shelter in a restroom and a storeroom.

One of the workers, Xu Haisong, said the fire caught quickly just after smoke had been detected. The workers tried to extinguish the blaze and move stored goods away to prevent the fire from spreading but their efforts failed. 

Sources from the local fire control bureau said the deaths were a result of goods and packing materials congesting the stairwell which was the only evacuation route out of the workshop.

The cause of the fire is unknown. Police are questioning the factory boss and landlord.

Residents living on other floors of the building have been temporarily relocated in a nearby hotel.

(CRI January 22, 2007)