Death toll from Yunnan fire rises to 12

The death toll from a fire at an agricultural trade center early on Wednesday morning in southwest China's Yunnan Province has risen to 12.

A Thursday statement from the information office of Kunming City, the provincial capital, updated the death toll to three more than it reported on Wednesday.

The new casualties included two people who were later confirmed to have died at the scene and one who died en route to hospital, it said.

The fire engulfed three two-story buildings at the trade center in Kunming's Guandu District and was put out about five hours after it began. It destroyed more than 50 stores and burned an area covering more than 3,300 square meters.

Among 10 people injured in the fire, five who sustained serious wounds are still receiving emergency treatment and one with slight injuries is under medical observation. The other four people have been discharged from hospital, according to the statement.

The statement said an initial police investigation showed the fire was caused by an accident that occurred when a merchant was unloading goods.

Witnesses told a Xinhua reporter that there was an explosion when the merchant was unloading alcohol products.

The trade center, which covers three hectares, has more than 200 stores.