At least six people have died following a fire at a shopping centre in the city of Zigong in China’s Sichuan province, according to state media.

As of Tuesday evening, a rescue effort was ongoing with 30 people reported to have been saved so far.

The fire at the 14-storey building has now been extinguished.

Footage broadcast by China’s state media and on social media showed thick black smoke towering above the building.