19 dead in north China coal mine company building fire

Death toll has risen to 19 after a fire broke out Thursday morning at a building of a coal mine company in north China's Shanxi Province, according to the Shanxi branch of the National Mine Safety Administration.

The fire ripped through the second floor of the five-story building located in Lishi District of Lyuliang City. Rescue efforts are underway, according to local authorities.

The building belongs to the private Yongju coal mine company, which has a production capacity of 120 tonnes a year.