An investigation is underway into the warehouse fire in northeast China's Harbin city which has killed 5 firefighters and injured 14 others.

The city government says police have also detained several people for questioning.

Lu Hao, governor of Heilongjiang province, is calling for a timely collection of evidence and severe punishment for those responsible for the tragedy.

"Regarding the investigation, we have lost five firefighters and this leaves us with no room for leniency. Evidence must be collected as soon as possible as there will be no way to do it once the building is torn down. That will greatly affect the investigation."

The fire broke out Friday afternoon at the warehouse of a ceramics market in Daowai District.

Nearly 3,000 local residents have been forced to evacuate their homes and stay in temporary housing.

Firefighters say the cause of the fire has been hard to determine due to the building's complicated structure, and the building is at risk of collapsing.

The firemen were buried on the second floor of the warehouse by debris that fell from the third floor of the building.

No civilians were injured.