Hotel fire kills 19 in northeast China city

A hotel fire that broke out in Harbin, capital of northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Saturday morning has left 19 people dead, the provincial fire department confirmed.

According to reports, the deadly fire occurred early Saturday at a hot spring hotel in Songbei District of the city, said a source with the provincial fire department.

Firefighters rushed to the scene immediately to carry out rescue operation.

The cause of the fire awaits further investigation.

SS