Seven Die, More Fight For Lives After Jordan Blaze

Officials say seven people including a nine-year-old child have died and seven more are fighting for their lives after a major fire at a four-storey building in Jordan on Sunday evening.

Four male and three female victims died in the blaze, authorities said late on Sunday. They were among at least 17 people injured. Seven people were reported to be in a critical condition.

Firefighters were called at about 8pm after smoke was seen billowing from a first-floor unit, with flames later reaching the floor above. The fire was under control within minutes.

Fire officers said the building had no firefighting system and witnesses noted that no fire alarm was heard and there was no sound of explosions.

A family celebration was taking place at the unit where the fire started. Police say they're investigating whether it was in use as an unlicensed Nepalese restaurant.

It's thought lit candles from the party may have ignited soundproofing materials. Fire officers said some of the dead were trapped in a kitchen while at least one made it out through a bathroom window.

There were reports of one man attempting to escape by climbing out of his window and jumping off a scaffold.

Firefighters used breathing apparatus to enter the building on Canton Road while ambulance staff and police assisted injured people at the scene, including giving oxygen and performing CPR.

The injured were taken to the nearby Caritas Medical Centre as well as Queen Elizabeth and Kwong Wah hospitals. Later, some were taken to Princess Margaret Hospital in Kwai Tsing.

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