The fire broke out at 7:50 p.m. on Saturday, engulfing the Baixinglou Restaurant in Liaoning's Chaoyang City, and it was extinguished by 9:00 p.m.

The victims include diners and staff in the restaurant. Another 16 people were injured in the accident, and they are being treated in two local hospitals and are in stable condition.

A 27-year-old restaurant cook Wang Yonghai, a restaurant manager Zhang Chaohui and a chief cook Wang Zhidong have been detained, said Zhang Minghua, deputy director of the Chaoyang Municipal Public Security Bureau.

Wang Yonghai was blamed for improperly handling an oven which has not been put into use in the kitchen and starting the fire, Zhang said.

Local police also brought three other people, including board chairman of the restaurant Li Yang and two other cooks under control, Zhang said.

The managers of the restaurant are now discussing how to compensate the victims with their relatives and local authorities.