At least 18 people were killed in a fire at a resort hotel in China's northeastern city of Harbin early Saturday, state media and an official said.

The disaster added to a string of deadly blazes that have plagued China despite official efforts to improve public safety over the past two decades.

The fire broke out at the Beilong Hot Spring Hotel in Harbin's Sun Island resort area, according to an employee of the city emergency office who would give only his surname, Wang. He said 18 people were confirmed dead but he had no information about injuries or other details.

The fire at the four-story building was extinguished at 7:50 a.m., state television reported.

The cause was under investigation, the Xinhua News Agency said.

Source: ABC News

BDST: 1107 HRS, AUG 25, 2018
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