13 die in China mall blaze

BEIJING - Thirteen people died Friday after a fire broke out at a shopping mall in China, Xinhua reported.

The fire broke out around 9.15 a.m. at the Huichu Street Shopping Mall in northeastern Jilin city, officials said.

Rescuers have retrieved 11 bodies after hours of searching. Two people who were severely burnt died at a hospital.

The fire was put out in the afternoon. The authorities have launched a probe.

Police have detained the general manager of the mall for questioning.