At least 19 people were confirmed dead after a fire ripped through a hotel overnight in north eastern China.
Fire broke out at Beilong Hot Spring Hotel in Harbin and was brought under control after several hours by around 100 firefighters.
Authorities are investigating the cause which is thought to have started from the kitchen on the second floor.A represemtative from the hotel’s owner has been detained and questioned over its fire safety measures.
Fire crews found 16 people dead at the scene while three more died later in hospital.
More than 20 were injured and taken to hospital while a total of 70 guests and staff were evacuated.
According to the state-run China Central Television, the fire damaged about 400 square metres of the four-storey building and the hotel’s main hall burnt down.
Harbin, known as the ‘Ice City’ is a popular tourist destination and noted for its Russian-influenced architecture and famous winter festival of ice sculptures.
