Bangladesh factory fire that killed 111 was sabotage: Inquiry chief

DHAKA (AFP) - A fire that killed 111 workers at a Bangladesh garment factory last month was caused by sabotage and managers at the plant prevented victims from escaping, the head of an official inquiry said on Monday.

"We have found that the fire that gutted Tazreen Fashion factory in Ashulia was an act of sabotage," Mr Main Uddin Khandaker told AFP after submitting a report into the Nov 24 tragedy to the government.

"The statements of the witnesses revealed that it was an act of sabotage.

There was no possibility of the fire originating due to an electric short-circuit or any other reason." Mr Khandaker did not suggest who might have carried out the sabotage or why.