2 Indians among 11 killed in Saudi factory fire

Eleven people, including two Indians, have died when a major fire broke out at a furniture factory here in the Saudi capital, local media reported today.
The furniture factory reportedly owned by two Bangladeshi nationals caught fire on Monday night, killing nine Bangladeshi workers along with the two Indians, police said.
The civil defence authorities received information about the fire and sent 14 firefighting teams, 15 support units and eight rescue teams to the site. However, the fire gutted the entire 600-sqm workshop, Arab News reported.
Witnesses said most victims died of smoke inhalation. Some of the workers managed to escape unhurt.

Major Mohammed Al-Hamadi, spokesman of the Civil Defence, said that the police is investigating the incident.
Surinder Bhagat, spokesman of the Indian Embassy, said Mohammad Waseem from Uttar Pradesh and Alam Mohammad from Patna, Bihar died in the fire. He said the local police is investigating and would submit a report to the embassy.
According to the report, two Bangladeshis were running the factory for a Saudi national. While one of them was allegedly hiding in Saudi Arabia the other person is believed to be in Bangladesh, Arab News said.