A factory fire has killed 15 people and severely injured three others in Shenzhen, a Special Economic Zone in south China's Guangdong Province, on Wednesday.

The blaze broke out at about 4 a.m. in the factory building in Nanshan District, leaving 15 dead at the scene, according to a source with the city government's press office.

Firemen rescued six from the building. Three were injured and are now receiving medical treatment in hospital, the office said.

The cause of the fire is currently being investigated, it added, providing no further details.

The bottom floor of the building was used as a workshop for foam products.

(Xinhua News Agency February 27, 2008)