The smell of burning fabric filled the air before anyone saw the flames.

It started in the apprentices’ class — a room at the far end of Maya’s fashion studio where the young trainees practiced sewing and ironing. At first, it was only the faint crackle of heat and the hiss of steam, but within seconds, smoke rolled across the ceiling like a dark wave.

“Fire! Fire!” someone screamed.

Chairs toppled, scissors clattered to the floor, and the room erupted in panic. Students and workers rushed toward the door, their voices tangled in cries and coughs. April, who had been checking fabrics in the next room, ran in and yelled,...