Three firefighters are dead and another 14 are injured in a warehouse collapse in Harbin city of Northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, according to China Central Television (CCTV).

At least one firefighter remains buried at the collapse site, said Song Xibin, the city mayor.

Song said that local rescue forces are continuing rescue efforts.

The firemen were buried when they were trying to put out the fire, which burnt down the third floor of a market warehouse at the Beifangnanxun ceramics market at about 10 pm on Friday, burying firemen on the second floor, according to a Xinhua reporter at the scene.

The 11 injured firemen were rushed to hospital. Three of them were in critical condition.

The warehouse is part of a 11-storeyed residential building. The first to third floor are used as warehouses and the rest eight floors are residential areas.

The fire, which broke out at about 1 pm, is yet to be put out. Residents nearby have been evacuated.

The cause of the fire is being investigated.