Firefighters try to extinguish a fire which broke out at the Mingdian Western-style Restaurant in Zhangmutou town, Dongguan city in south China's Guangdong Province on December 12, 2007. (Xinhua photo)

A total of 10 people were killed in a fire in the South China on Wednesday, and 9 others were wounded.

The fire at the Mingdian Western-style Restaurant in Zhangmutou town, Dongguan city in south China's Guangdong Province, killed 10 and injured nine, officials with the Dongguan government said.

An eyewitness said four foreign nationals were dining in the restaurant when the fire happened, and they were among the 11 killed, according to a Xinkuaibao report. But this was not confirmed by local authorities.

The fire was reported at 5:07 pm and was put out in 15 minutes after spreading to more than 400 square meters, the officials said. Police are investigating the cause of the blaze.