17 workers killed,24 injured in Beijing fire

Initial investigation showed the fire started at the first floor of the workshop which was unlicensed. The above stories were used to accommodate workers,who were all migrants,Xinhua news agency reported.

The building belongs to a local resident named Zhang and its construction was not approved by local authorities,Chang said.

Most of the 17 killed died on the first floor after inhaling excessive smoke,the district official said.

Photos of the building showed that the windows were all barred with iron fences,which may have prevented the trapped people from escaping,the report said.