Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
Voice of America is funded by the US Federal Government and content it
exclusively produces is in the public domain.
April 27, 2008

News Agency: Fire at Factory in Morocco Kills 55 
-------------------------------------------------

http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=1C091E5:A6F02AD83191E1604D1F6ACF0E98A61B3CF5CDEF8FC051DA& 
Flames spread quickly at mattress factory in Casablanca 






Firefighters evacuate a victim of a fire that broke out in a mattress factory Saturday, April 26, 2008 in Casablanca, MoroccoMorocco's official news agency says 55 people were killed and 12 others were injured on Saturday in a fire at a mattress factory in Casablanca.

The MAP news agency says 100 employees were present the factory, in Lissasfa, an industrial area of Casablanca, when the fire broke out. The flames reportedly spread very quickly because of the highly flammable materials inside the factory.

MAP reports that firefighters struggled for three hours before eventually putting out the fire, as relatives of the victims and passers-by gathered on the street.

King Mohammed has reportedly ordered all hospitals with burn units to assist the victims of the fire.

Authorities are opening an investigation into the cause of the fire.

Some information for this report provided by AP and AFP.



.