Nation IN BRIEF : NORTH CAROLINA : Smoke Killed Most in Food Plant Blaze

Most of the 25 victims of a chicken-processing plant fire died of smoke inhalation, the mayor of Hamlet, N.C., said. Mayor Abbie Covington said that she had no evidence of locked fire exit doors but that firefighters were being questioned about what they found. State Labor Commissioner John Brooks said it could be two months before his department issues its report. If doors were locked while people were in the building, violators could be subject to fines and, because deaths were involved, possible criminal prosecution, Brooks said.