This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-39136402

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Three killed in fire at abandoned Melbourne factory Three killed in fire at abandoned Melbourne factory
(about 7 hours later)
Three people have died in a suspicious fire that tore through an abandoned factory in Melbourne, Australia.Three people have died in a suspicious fire that tore through an abandoned factory in Melbourne, Australia.
Firefighters were called around 23:30 (12:30 GMT) on Wednesday after reports of an explosion.Firefighters were called around 23:30 (12:30 GMT) on Wednesday after reports of an explosion.
It took them 40 minutes to extinguish the blaze before finding three bodies inside. Local media say the victims are believed to be two men and a woman.It took them 40 minutes to extinguish the blaze before finding three bodies inside. Local media say the victims are believed to be two men and a woman.
The factory was often used as a shelter by homeless people.The factory was often used as a shelter by homeless people.
Arson experts will investigate the cause of the fire, police said.Arson experts will investigate the cause of the fire, police said.
One witness, taxi driver Mohamed Ali, said he had heard screams coming from the factory in Footscray, in the city's west.One witness, taxi driver Mohamed Ali, said he had heard screams coming from the factory in Footscray, in the city's west.
"A few minutes later I saw the fire engines come," he told the Australian Broadcasting Corp."A few minutes later I saw the fire engines come," he told the Australian Broadcasting Corp.
"For me, it's a horrible situation because we couldn't help. I haven't seen anything like this in my whole life. I'm not feeling good.""For me, it's a horrible situation because we couldn't help. I haven't seen anything like this in my whole life. I'm not feeling good."
Prominent Melbourne youth worker Les Twentyman said homeless people often took refuge at the site.Prominent Melbourne youth worker Les Twentyman said homeless people often took refuge at the site.
"There is a little alcove near the car park - people sleep in that little alcove,'' he told the Herald Sun. "There is a little alcove near the car park - people sleep in that little alcove," he told the Herald Sun.
"It just shows how desperate they are.""It just shows how desperate they are."
The site was originally Victoria's largest ropeworks and operated from 1903 to 2002. After the factory shut, the state government backed plans to build a large apartment complex on the site.The site was originally Victoria's largest ropeworks and operated from 1903 to 2002. After the factory shut, the state government backed plans to build a large apartment complex on the site.