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At least 31 workers died and dozens were missing and feared dead after a fire ripped through a rubber slipper factory in the Philippine capital Manila on Wednesday, local officials said, Sputnik reports.

Investigators were trying to determine the cause of a fire that trapped workers at the two-story factory building of Kentex Manufacturing Inc, which makes flip-flops and slippers.

Firemen said 31 bodies had been found, adding that most of the victims had died of suffocation.

The blaze was reportedly set off by welding near a chemical compound with flammable materials inside that helped spread the flames.

Thirty-nine workers had been accounted for, but 65 were reported missing and feared dead.

Portions of the wall and roof on the second floor also collapsed and hiton some of the workers.