55 killed in China slaughterhouse fire

At least 55 people were killed Monday when a major fire swept through a poultry processing plant in northeast China's Jilin province, authorities said.

The fire broke out at 6 a.m. at the slaughterhouse owned by the Jilin Baoyuanfeng Poultry Company in Mishazi township of Dehui city, said firefighters.

Over 300 workers were in the plant when the accident happened, survivors told Xinhua, adding that they heard a bang and then witnessed dark smoke at around 6 a.m.

About 100 workers managed to escape from the plant whose gate was locked when the fire occurred, said survivors.

The complicated interior structure of the prefabricated house in which the fire broke out and the narrow exits added difficulties to the rescue work, sources said.