Photo taken on Dec. 1, 2017 shows the fire site in a residential building in north China's Tianjin. Ten people have died after the fire occurred early Friday. (Xinhua/Bai Yu)
TIANJIN, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- Ten people have died after a fire in a residential building in northern China's Tianjin early Friday, according to local authorities.
Another five suffered minor injuries and have been hospitalized.
The fire broke out on the 38th floor of an apartment building in the city's Hexi District at 4:07 a.m., according to the local fire department.
The fire was extinguished at 6:40 a.m. Firefighters said an area of about 300 square meters was damaged.
The cause of the fire is currently unconfirmed, but it is believed to have started in an area with housing interior decoration materials.
The municipal government has ordered a citywide safety inspection.
Traffic controls in the area have been lifted. People believed to be responsible for the fire are being held for further investigation.
