A general view of the burnt debris at an underwear factory in Bao'an District of Shenzhen, South China's Guangdong Province, January 21, 2007. Seven female employees died in the fire that spread quickly because of the sponge used to make bra. Police are keeping the boss of the factory under surveillance. [Sun Jiangmin/Information Times]

People stand near a building destroyed by fire at an underwear factory in Bao'an District of Shenzhen, South China's Guangdong Province, January 21, 2007. Seven female employees died in the fire that spread quickly because of the sponge used to make bra. Police are keeping the boss of the factory under surveillance. [Sun Jiangmin/Information Times]

Seven female workers were killed in a fire at an underwear factory located in a residential building in south China's Shenzhen city.

The local Information Times newspaper reports the fire started at 8:10am on Sunday, trapping 15 employees in a workshop on the second floor of the building in the Baoan District of the city.

Three women managed to escape through the stairwell, while another five were rescued by firemen after they took shelter in the restroom and storeroom.

One of the workers, Xu Haisong, said the fire blazed up quickly just after they detected smoke in the workplace. The workers tried to extinguish the fire and move all the stored goods away to prevent the fire from growing, but they failed in their attempts.

Sources from the local fire control bureau said the deaths were a direct result of all the goods and packing material congesting the stairwell, the only evacuation route from the workshop.

The cause of the fire is still unknown. Police are currently questioning the factory boss and landlord.

The residents living on the other floors of the building have been temporarily relocated in a nearby hotel.

Editor: Yan