Factory fire kills 7 in north China

Seven people were killed in a factory fire in north China's Hebei province Wednesday afternoon, local authorities said.

The fire broke out at a factory belonging to Zhengqiao Mining Company at about 2 p.m. in Chengde County, said the county government.

Five people trapped inside were suffocated to death. Two others who were injured when escaping died later in hospital after emergency treatment failed, according to the government.

An investigation into the cause of fire in under way.