Thane (Maharashtra), Dec 27: At least eight migrant employees were killed in a major fire that swept through a timber warehouse in Bhiwandi city early Saturday.

Initially, 5 people had suffocated to death. Four others, who had suffered burns were admitted to local hospitals. Out of them, 3 succumbed to their injuries.

According to Thane police, the blaze was reportable at 2 a.m. within the timber goods warehouse in Mankoli.

The fire fighters managed to rescue another 3 injured  people alive whereas eight lost their lives within the fire, police aforesaid.

The cause of the fire has not been discovered however but it had been brought under control by dawn once a four-hour operation.

Among the dead are north Indian and Nepali migrant employees, however their identity is yet to be determined.