BEIJING: At least 10 people were killed and 35 others injured when a fire broke out in a hotel in China’s northeast Jilin Province today, local authorities said.The blaze erupted at Home Inns, the country’s largest budget hotel operator, in Dongchang District of Tonghua City in Jilin Province, a statement released by the city’s publicity department said.The fire was put out about half an hour later.Initial investigation found the fire started at the stair hall, which then sent heavy smokes up the floors.Ten were choked to death, Xinhua reported.The injured have been shifted to a hospital for emergency treatment.Of them, three are critically injured, though the injuries are not life-threatening.Fire fighters combed the scene five times and found no bodies, the report said. – TOI