MANILA, Philippines — Welding sparks igniting flammable chemicals and locked fire exits contributed to the death of 72 factory workers in Valenzula City.

The blaze swept through a slipper and shoe factory in Valenzuela City on Wednesday, sending huge clouds of thick black smoke billowing into the sky.
Investigators were still pulling bodies from the charred ruins a day later.

Most of the dead workers were found on the second floor of the factory owned by Kentex Manufacturing Corp., suggesting workers had become trapped there according to Fire Senior Superintendent, Sergio Soriano Jr.

One witness said welding sparks ignited flammable chemical compounds just past noon Wednesday at the welding operations area of the factory.

Workers inside the building ran up the second floor of the factory, trapping most of them because emergency exit doors were locked and windows on the second floor were barred shut.

The flames spread in seconds, witnesses said. “We tried to put the fire out by pouring water and using the fire extinguisher but it was difficult already,” Steve Chua, a worker in the factory, told police.

Firefighters managed to put the blaze out around 7 p.m, Wednesday.

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