Factory fire in Nigeria kill at least 20 people

At least 20 people are dead and 11 are in a critical condition in the Nigerian capital of Lagos after a rubber goods factory caught fire today.

Employees of a burnt out plastics factory near the Nigerian city of Lagos cover their faces as they inspect damage.

Nigerian Red Cross spokesman Mr Patrick Bawa said they 11 badly burned survivors have been taken to hospital but that their chances of survival are slim.

A police spokesman said they expected to find more bodies in the wreckage but could not say how many.

Nigerian press reports say up to 120 people are feared dead in the massive fire, which gutted two large factory blocks in Lagos.

Workers and trade unions claim the death toll was high because a foreman left a door to the affected building locked. The foreman denies the claim.

AFP