Death toll from Pakistan building fire rises to 22 after rescue workers recover 17 bodies

LAHORE, Pakistan – Police in Pakistan say the death toll from a building fire in the eastern city of Lahore has climbed to 22, after rescue workers recovered 17 bodies.

Police officer Maruf Wahla says the bodies were found on Friday after firefighters struggled for 24 hours to extinguish the blaze that had engulfed the nine-story government building.

On Thursday, five people plunged to their deaths trying to escape the blaze. Local TV stations broadcast dramatic footage of people jumping from the building and a horrified crowd of onlookers standing outside, looking up.

Wahla says the fire started on the top floor and was triggered by a spark from a generator. He says most of the victims died of suffocation. Many buildings in Pakistan have their own generators because of frequent electricity outages.