ISTANBUL

At least two firefighters were killed while battling a forest blaze for a third day on Wednesday in China, the state media reported.

The forest fire began in the Bijie area of the southwestern Guizhou province on Monday, according to local government authorities.

The fire continued as firefighters continued dousing the blaze while a rescue operation was underway on Wednesday.

Authorities were also probing the cause of the fire which has engulfed a huge area on the mountain.

Videos on Chinese social media showed local people gathered on the foothills which is dotted by residential houses.