NEW DELHI, April 9 (Xinhua) -- At least four people were killed in a fire at a shoe factory here on Monday, officials said.

"The fire broke out at the Raja Park factory in Sultanpuri this morning when some 12 workers were inside. While four of them died of burns and suffocation after getting trapped in the blaze, we managed to evacuate others," a fire official said.

As many as nine fire tenders were pressed into service to douse the flames, he said. "It took nearly three hours to contain the fire," the official said.

"Preliminary probe indicates an electrical short-circuit as the reason. However, a probe has been ordered into the incident. We will take action against the factory owner if negligence is found on his part," he added.

Fires are common in factories and buildings in India due to lack of regards for basic safety norms and absence of fire-fighting equipment.

In January, at least 17 people were killed in a major fire at an illegal firecracker factory in the Indian capital. The factory owner was arrested by police and charged for the deaths.