Furniture workshop fire kills 5 in China

SHIJIAZHUANG - Five people have been killed in a fire at a furniture workshop in North China's Hebei province, authorities said Saturday.

The fire broke out at 3:40 pm Friday at the workshop in Shengfang township, Bazhou city and was put out six hours later, said a spokesman with the city government.

The cause of the fire is being investigated.

About 120 km away from Beijing, Shengfang is known for furniture manufacturing. It has more than 1,600 furniture companies, with products exported to 60 countries and regions, according to the website of the township government.