Fire in Kolkata Illegal Plastics Market Kills 18

Alexander Hug (center), deputy head of OSCE, Europe's monitoring mission in Ukraine, stands next to armed pro-Russian separatists as the convoy makes its way to the MH17 crash site outside Donetsk, July 30, 2014.

A fire has ripped through an illegal plastics market in Kolkata, India, killing at least 18 people.

Fire officials say the blaze began in the early-morning hours and trapped people who were sleeping inside. The building had only one entrance, making rescue difficult. Efforts were also hampered by thick smoke blanketing the area.

Officials said the fire was under control by mid-morning, although a cause was yet to be determined.

Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.