Fatal factory fire in South Africa

Police in South Africa say that eleven workers died when fire raged through a factory on the outskirts of the city of Johannesburg.

A police spokesman said it's believed the fire started when a gas-bottle exploded and ignited chemicals used to make floor polish at the factory in the southern suburb of Lenaisa.

The spokesman said the workers -- ten women and one man -- had run to the back of the building to try to escape from the blaze but there were no emergency exits.

He said the police are investigating reports that the workers had been locked in the building during their night shift.

The company ESS Chemicals faces possible prosecution in connection with the deaths. Police say they are also investigating allegations that the company was storing chemicals that should not have been in the building, or which should have been stored more safely.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service