Fire in Daqing claims lives of seven

Seven people have been confirmed dead in a fire accident on Monday in Zhaozhou county of Daqing city, Heilongjiang province, according to a statement released by local government.

At around 2 pm, the county's fire brigade received an alarm call reporting that a single-story steel structure makeshift building for private business in Fengle township was on fire, the statement said.

At 2:40 pm, the open flames were extinguished at the scene, with an area of 280 square meters affected by the fire.

The cause of the fire is under investigation, it added.