Authorities in China have confirmed that at least 19 people have been killed in a fire at the Beilong Hot Spring Leisure Hotel in Songbei District.
The fire which broke out in the early hours of this morning occurred in Harbin, capital of the northeastern Heilongjiang province.
According to The Xinhua news agency, 23 others have been injured in the blaze with 19 of those receiving hospital treatment.
It is reported the blaze which was eventually put put at 7:50am local time, caused extensive damage to the building with window panes exploding due to the extensive heat caused by the fire.