11 killed, 24 injured in Karaoke bar fire in China

BEIJING: At least 11 people were killed and 24 others injured when a fire broke out at a karaoke bar in central China's Henan province early today.

Thirty five people were rushed to an area hospital after the fire broke out at the Huangguan bar in Changyuan County.

The 24 injured, including 13 in serious conditions, were being treated at the hospital, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

According to the county government, the condition of one person has worsened while the rest are stable.

Police have arrested Kong Weikai, the legal representative of the bar and were identifying the dead.

The blaze was doused after nearly an hour. The cause of the accident is being investigated.

Bo Xuebin, the county's Party chief, has ordered all karaoke bars in the county to suspend operation and ensure fire safety.