A factory in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, used to manufacture replica Olympic torches for distribution during the upcoming Beijing Olympics, has burned to the ground. As many as 200 workers are believed to be in a critical condition. Many of the workers were underaged.
Local officials believe that the factory had inadequate safeguards in place to protect those inside from fire hazard. They also believe that the product itself was faulty and may have been responsible for causing the calamitous inferno.
An unidentified engineer who worked on the project and was lucky enough to escape the inferno, has stated that the torch would probably not have met international safety standards with regards to household products. In fact the product, when lit, was capable of emitting the equivalent BTU's of a blast furnace.
However, the engineer added that, because of its extreme characteristics, it was to be marketed throughout North American dollar stores as a novelty product.
A preliminary investigation into the fire points to some confusion stemming from the fact that the product was actually developed in an inventor's garage in Tennessee. Incorrect translation of the operating instructions may be the culprit.
The product was being promoted as the 'Rive Flee Ou Die' torch.
