India, May 19 -- Eight persons, including three women and a child, were killed in a massive fire at a factory in Akkalkot Road MIDC area of Solapur on Sunday, officials said.

Prima facie, a short in the circuit triggered the blaze around 3:45 am at Central Textile Mills, that manufactures Solapuri Chaddar and towels. The factory, stood on a 12-gunta plot, had a ground-plus-two-floor structure.

The deceased have been identified as Usman Mansuri (87), owner of the company; Anas Mansuri (24); Sika Mansuri (24); Yusuf Mansuri (1.5); Ayesha Bagwan (45); and factory workers Mehtab Bagwan (51), Hina Bagwan (35), and Salman Bagwan (18).

While trying to douse the fire, Rakesh Salunkhe, chief of the Solapur Municipal Corporation's fire departmen...