JAKARTA, June 21 (Xinhua) -- Twenty-two workers were killed and several others injured Friday in fire at a small gas lighter factory located in Binjai city of Indonesia's North Sumatra province, Binjai city disaster mitigation office personnel said.

The fire that gutted the factory located in Binjai's village of Sambirejo was initially seen around 11:30 am local time.

"The fire occurred in the warehouse section, killing 22 ones. Three survivors have been evacuated from the scene by rescuers," Binjai Disaster Mitigation office personnel Oki was quoted by local media as saying.

Bodies of those killed have been transferred to the police hospital of Bhayangkara in Binjai.

Rescuers, residents and fire fighters managed to extinguish the fire two hours later.

A witness said an explosion was heard prior to the fire, adding that most of the workers stayed in a room altogether.

Further investigation is being carried out by police to find out things that incited the fire in the factory located in the residential compound.