China mine fire kills six, traps seven

SHENYANG, China, Oct. 10 (UPI) -- Fire has killed at least six people and trapped seven more in a coal mine in northeastern China's Liaoning province, authorities said.

The fire erupted late Friday at the Zhongxing Coal Mine in the Haizhou district of Fuxin City, Xinhua reported Saturday.

There was little chance of survival for the seven people trapped underground, though rescuers were working to retrieve them, authorities told Xinhua.

The mine produces 90,000 tons of coal a year and is licensed as a private business. The cause of the mine fire was being investigated.