Sixteen people were killed in a fire at a department store in Sichuan province in China's southwest on Wednesday evening, state media said on Thursday.
The fire broke out in a 14-storey building in a high-tech zone of the city of Zigong, shrouding the vicinity with thick smoke, according to the Xinhua news agency.
Overnight rescue work ended at 3:00 a.m. (1900 GMT on Wednesday), state broadcaster CCTV said.
Preliminary investigation showed the fire was due to construction operations. Further investigation was underway to identify the specific cause of the fire.

Landmark Myanmar Rohingya genocide case opens at UN's top court
Swiss court keeps bar owner in custody after deadly fire, SRF reports
Indian rocket launch loses control after liftoff in fresh blow to ISRO
Homeland Security to send hundreds more officers to Minnesota
India proposes forcing smartphone makers to give source code in security overhaul