HANGZHOU - A fire that broke out early Saturday morning in Wenling city, East China's Zhejiang province, has killed eight people.

Among the deceased were two children. Five of the six adults who died were migrant workers from outside the province.

The city's fire department said the blaze, which occurred at 2:59 am, burnt over an area of 129 square meters in three residential houses in Zeguo township. The fire was eventually contained at 4 am.

Fire fighters rescued 17 people. One of them was severely injured, while the others only sustained minor injuries.

Investigators found that the three houses, all owned by a local named Li Faming, were being leased.

Police have detained Chen as part of its investigation in to the blaze.

The cause of the fire is not yet known.