Dozens dead and injured in building fire in southern Taiwan

At least 25 people were killed and dozens injured after a large fire broke out Thursday morning in a building in Kaohsiung City, southeast China's Taiwan region, local media reported.

The fire reportedly broke out around 3 a.m. on the first floor of a 13-story commercial and residential building that was built over 40 years ago, according to the local fire department.

The blaze was "extremely fierce" and destroyed many floors of the building, AP reported, citing a statement from the local fire department.

A total of 159 firefighters were dispatched to the blaze and the fire was extinguished at 7:17 a.m.

Firefighters were continuing to comb the building for survivors and investigate the cause of the blaze.