Taiyuan, Shanxi province, China(National Times)- A fire on Sunday at a high-rise building in Taiyuan, in the northern Chinese province of Shanxi, killed at least 14 people, the state-run Xinhua news agency said on Monday.

A total of 25 people remain in the hospital, nine of them with serious injuries, state media said, citing authorities on Monday afternoon.

The fire broke out in the building in downtown Taiyuan at 4:59pm local time (0859 GMT) on Sunday, state media said.

Flames were put out roughly two hours later and authorities on Sunday said rescue operations concluded by 8:30pm with 38 people transported to the hospital. Five were confirmed dead by late Sunday night.

The cause of the fire is under investigation, state media said.

President Asif Ali Zardari expressed deep grief over the loss of life in the fire incident, according to a statement by the presidency.

“Our hearts go out to the bereaved families and to the leadership and people of China,” the President Zardari was quoted as saying.

“He reaffirmed that Pakistan and China share an enduring bond of friendship and brotherhood, adding that the people of Pakistan stand in full solidarity with their Chinese brothers and sisters in this hour of sorrow,” the statement said.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also extended condolences to the Chinese leadership, people and bereaved families.

“Deeply saddened by the tragic fire in China’s Shanxi province,” he said in a post on X.

“On behalf of the government and people of Pakistan, and on my own behalf, I extend heartfelt condolences to President Xi Jinping and the bereaved families,” he said.

PM Shehbaz further prayed for the swift and full recovery of those injured.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Shanxi and the leadership of China in this hour of grief,” he said.