The fire, among the deadliest in recent years, broke out in Changfeng Hospital at about 13:00 local time on Tuesday.

Angry and concerned relatives rushed to the hospital hours later, only learning of the fire from local news reports.

"Seven or eight hours have passed and I didn't even receive a call," one relative told China Youth Daily.

Many said they spent the night trying to locate loved ones. Those who were rescued have now been shifted to other hospitals for treatment.

Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, officials said a preliminary investigation showed that sparks generated during renovation works had ignited paint stored on site.