Eleven detained over deadly Tianjin fire that kills 10

Eleven people have been detained for their role in a fatal fire that left 10 dead and five injured in a residential building in northern China's Tianjin Municipality, according to local authorities Sunday.

Smoke rises from the upper floors of Tianjin City Tower during the fire which killed ten residents in Tianjin, December 1, 2017. [Photo: IC]

The fire broke out on the 38th floor of an apartment building that was under construction in the city's Hexi District at 4:07 a.m. Friday.

Preliminary investigation showed the construction companies drained water from the fire protection water tank without permission, which led to the quick spread of the fire. Construction workers were also illegally staying at the site, it showed.

A total of 11 people from the real estate company and construction companies have been detained and further investigation continues.

The fire was extinguished at 6:40 a.m. and firefighters said an area of about 300 square meters was damaged.