Beijing's top official has demanded an inch-by-inch inspection for potential safety hazards after a blaze on Saturday night killed 19 people and injured eight others in Daxing district.

The fire brigade sent 34 firetrucks to an apartment fire in the village of Xinjian after being alerted at 6:15 pm on Saturday, and the fire was extinguished by about 9 pm. All the injured were hospitalized, according to local authorities.

Those thought to be responsible for the tragedy have been taken into custody, authorities said, and an investigative team has been set up to investigate the cause.