A fire in a school dormitory in central China has claimed the lives of at least 13 people.

According to BBC News, the blaze happened on Friday night at a privately-run school for young children in Yanshanpu village, Henan province.

The manager of the school has been detained and an investigation is under way, while one person is being treated in hospital in stable condition.

BBC News says fatal fires in China are not uncommon due to lenient enforcement of building and safety standards.

Back in November, 26 people died after a large fire at an office building in Luliang City, Shanxi province, while last April a hospital fire in Beijing claimed the lives of at least 29 people.