A fire, allegedly set on purpose in a KTV bar, killed 18 people and injured another five early Tuesday in Qingyuan City, south China's Guangdong Province, local police said.

The fire was reported at around 0:30 a.m. in the bar on Chayuan Road of Yingde city under Qingyuan, and was put out at 0:55, said a statement issued by the public security bureau of Qingyuan City.

According to the preliminary investigation, the fire is being treated as arson. Further investigation into the case is underway.

(Screenshot via weibo)