At least 25 people have died in a fire at a coal firm’s offices in northern China.

Dozens of workers were also injured in the blaze, which ripped through the four-storey Yongju Coal Company building, in Lvliang city, Shanxi province, just before 7am local time on Thursday.

Officials said emergency services evacuated 63 people from the block after rushing to the scene. However, it was unclear if the fatalities were included in that figure.

The building affected included offices and dormitories – and no coal was being mined at the scene, local media reported.

The fire was brought under control by the afternoon, officials said.

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It comes amid growing concern over fire safety in China following a series of recent deadly blazes.

At least 29 people were killed in a hospital fire in Beijing earlier this year.

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