Deadly hotel fire at northeastern China resort

A fire has torn through a hot springs hotel in the northeastern Chinese city of Harbin, killing 19 people and causing 23 others to be taken to hospital.

Authorities are investigating the cause of the blaze at the four-storey Bailong Hot Springs Leisure Hotel, an inexpensive spa resort visited mainly by domestic tourists, which broke out just after 4.30am on Friday.

The People's Daily newspaper cited fire officials as saying the blaze had started in a kitchen on the second floor.

Footage showed rescue workers picking through the charred building.

Casualties treated in hospital were in the 40s to 70s age range, the newspaper said, citing the Harbin First Hospital. Further details about those who were killed were not immediately available.

AP