Fire kills 17 at Indonesian karaoke bar

A fire at an Indonesian karaoke bar has left 17 people dead and 71 injured in northern Manado City.

Detik.com also reported that the crowded venue had only one accessible door toward which people rushed in a panic as the three-story Inul Vista burst into flames early Sunday morning.

Commissioner Rio Permana, chief of Manado Police, told Anadolu Agency that the fire began on the second floor of the franchise.

"An employee tried to put out the fire, but it was too big," he said.

As the fire spread, it found ample fuel in multiple layers of dry wallpaper, according to Permana, and the club's corridors quickly filled with smoke.

One visitor reportedly screamed, sending those on the second and third floors into a panic.

Shortly afterwards they were plunged into darkness by a power cut.

With only one exit available since an alternative exit had been locked by the nightclub's owner, some people broke windows and slid down curtains to escape.

"[One man] jumped out of the third floor because there was no ladder," Permana said.

Most of the dead -- apparently killed due to smoke inhalation -- have been identified.

Police are still investigating the cause of the accident, but presume it was caused by an electrical fault.