Ten people have been confirmed dead and 35 injured in a hotel fire in northeast China's Jilin Province early Sunday morning, local authorities said.

The fire broke out at about 3:30 a.m. at the NO. 1 store of Home Inns, the country's largest budget hotel operator, in Dongchang District of Tonghua City in Jilin Province, the city's publicity department said a statement. It was put out about half an hour later.

Initial investigation found the fire started at the stair hall, which then sent heavy smokes up the floors. The ten were choked to death.

The 35 injured have been sent to hospital for emergency treatment. Of them, three are critically injured, though the injuries are not life-threatening.

Fire fighters found no further deaths or injuries after combing the scene five times.

Further investigation is underway.

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