Mohali, July 1 -- A nine-month-old baby girl was killed and two others were critically injured after a fire broke out - suspected due to a cylinder blast, at a factory in Phase 5 Industrial Area on Monday morning.

The injured were identified as Babita, a domestic worker, and Varinder, the factory owner. They were rushed to the Government Hospital in Phase 6 by locals, after a delay in ambulance arrival forced them to use a pickup vehicle for emergency transport.

The fire broke out around 9.15 a.m. while tea was being prepared on a small stove-like setup inside the factory. Within minutes, flames engulfed the premises, where dyes and press tools are manufactured, and welding work was on.

Sub-fire officer Suresh Kumar said three fire ten...