8 confirmed dead in Shanghai factory fire

SHANGHAI, April 23 (Xinhua): Eight people, including two firefighters, have been confirmed dead in a fire that broke out at a factory in Shanghai Thursday afternoon, local authorities said Friday.

The fire began at 1:30 p.m. at the plant in Jinshan District, which mainly manufactures electronic-product accessories.

The information office of the district government said the blaze was brought under control at 6:20 a.m. Friday. The bodies of the eight people have been found.

A preliminary investigation suggested that the surrounding atmosphere and water body have not been polluted.

The sewage from the fire extinguishing operation has been collected for treatment. The cause of the fire is under further investigation.