NEW DELHI, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- At least three people were killed and 15 others feared trapped under the debris after a three-storey plastics factory collapsed in a massive fire in the northern Indian state of Punjab Monday, police said.
The incident took place at Mushtaq Nagar in the industrial city of Ludhiana, some 100 km from the Punjab capital of Chandigarh.
"The fire engulfed the factory and caved in when over 50 firefighters were trying to douse the flames. Three charred bodies have been pulled out of the debris, while 15 others are still feared trapped inside," a senior police official said.
"Some factory workers who sustained injuries in the incident have been admitted to a local hospital, where their condition are said to be out of danger," he added.
Apart from firefighters, the state government has also called the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the paramilitary Border Security Force at the site to carry out search and rescue operations.
Local TV channels showed footage of two bulldozers being pressed into action to remove the concrete and steel debris before it gets dark.
State Chief Minister Amarinder Singh has condoled the deaths. "Shocked and saddened at the Ludhiana factory collapse. Have asked district administration to extend all help to NDRF in rescue operations," he tweeted.
A probe has been ordered into the incident, the police official added.
