At least four killed in Shanghai downtown building fire

The site of a deadly fire is seen in downtown Shanghai, east China, April 19, 2011. At least four were killed in a fire that went off in a building near Shanghai People's Square Tuesday afternoon. The blaze was put out shortly afterwards. (Xinhua/Fan Jun)

SHANGHAI, April 19 (Xinhua) -- At least four people were killed and several others injured in a building fire near Shanghai People's Square Tuesday afternoon, said local authorities.

The fire broke out in the 13th floor of the Shanghai Telecom Building at 1:32 p.m. The fire was extinguished 20 minutes later, said local police.

The injured have been rushed to Shanghai Changzheng Hospital. All four fatalities suffocated to death, said the hospital's doctors.

Shanghai's communication services were not affected by the incident after an emergency response plan was initiated, said local police.

Police are investigating the incident.