Fire in Food Factory in Bangladesh Kills Dozens

DHAKA, BANGLADESH - At least 49 people have died in a fire that broke out at a food and beverage factory outside the country's capital, fire officials and local TV stations said Friday. 

A fire service official, Russel Shikder, confirmed that the fire began Thursday night at the five-story Hashem Food and Beverage Ltd. factory in Rupganj, just outside Dhaka. Debasish Bardhan, deputy director of the Fire Service and Civil Defense, said 49 bodies have been recovered from inside the factory and rescue operations continue. He said the top two floors of the factory have not yet been searched. The main exit gate of the factory, which processes juice, soft drinks and other food items, was locked from inside, he said.