Five firefighters die in Harbin warehouse collapse

Five firefighters died when a fire-damaged warehouse collapsed in Harbin in northern Heilongjiang province on Friday night, China Central Television reported.

At least 13 firefighters were also sent to hospital.

The fire erupted on Friday afternoon around 1pm, Xinhua reported.

CCTV said the fire was extinguished by 7pm and the firefighters then moved in to clear paper and plastics inside. The warehouse collapsed soon after.

But Xinhua said the fire was still burning nine hours later.

The warehouse, located in Daowai district, covered more than 1,000 square metres and was at the bottom of a residential building, which was evacuated, the Xinhua report said.