2 killed in shopping mall fire in China

At least two persons were killed when a fire broke out at a shopping center fire in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province.

The fire broke out at around 9 p.M. In Jinlong Plaza in the Daowai District of Harbin, the provincial capital city.

Police are investigating the victims' identities.

Firefighters are searching the three-story building for more casualties. Two persons were reported missing.

More than 1,000 residents living nearby have been evacuated.

The cause of the fire was not immediately known, stat-run Xinhua news agency reported.

Some 500 firefighters, with 78 fire engines, managed to put out the fire in the early hours today.