Fire kills 12 snack shop workers in India

Indian fire officials inspect the burnt down shop in Mumbai, Monday, Dec. 18, 2017. (AP)

An overnight fire in Mumbai killed 12 workers early Monday at a shop that made and sold fried snacks, according to Indian media reports.

A survivor, 28-year-old Tushar Pawar, told The Associated Press that he saw the fire in the center of the workshop area about 4 a.m.

"Those who were outside were able to move out, but those who were inside, they were trapped and could not come out," he said.

A disaster management official told the Press Trust of India news agency that 12 workers succumbed to the intense heat and smoke.

A police officer stands guard as fire officials clear the debris from a burnt down shop in Mumbai, Monday, Dec. 18, 2017. (AP)

Those workers were taken to a hospital and declared dead on arrival, authorities said.

Investigators were trying to determine the cause of the fire, which gutted the workshop area and the shop itself. It made "farsan," a salty snack enjoyed with tea.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.