China fire: 18 dead and five injured after karaoke bar 'arson attack'

China: 18 people died in the blaze (file photo)
AFP/Getty Images

A fire at a karaoke bar in China has killed 18 people and left another five injured.

Local police are currently treating the blaze in the three-storey building in the south of the country as arson, Chinese media reported.

The public security bureau of Qingyuan City said officers received a call around 12.30am local time (4.30pm UK time) on Tuesday.

Police, fire crews and medics rushed to the scene and the fire was put out by 12.55am, the bureau added.

Detectives said that a 32-year-old man had been arrested in connection to the blaze.

A reward of 200,000 yuan (£22,718) had been offered to anyone who provided information leading to the capture.

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