The flame was said to start from the first floor at noon and it then spread quickly and engulfed upper floors.

Four fire trucks were deployed to the scene and it took firefighters more than an hour to put out the blaze, as the karaoke bar lies in a small lane, hampering fire extinguishment.

Many got into a panic after escaping the fire

Wearing gas masks, firefighters had to break window glass to let smoke get out of stuffy sound proof rooms.

The fire gutted the first floor, including the entire bar.

Witnesses said many people were staying inside the karaoke bar when the incident happened. Many managed to escape the burning bar before the roaring flame engulfed the whole building.

Relevant agencies cordoned off the karaoke bar for investigation.

Initial investigations show the fire was caused by a short circuit on the first floor.