Early Friday, a fire ripped through a martial arts school in central China, killing 18 people and wounding 16, according to authorities.

The fire has been put out, and the school's principal has been arrested by authorities.

Authorities from Henan Province and Shangqiu City have arrived at the area to begin an investigation. The victims' identities have yet to be revealed by the authorities.

According to a brief statement from authorities in the city of Shangqiu, which controls Zhecheng county in Henan, where the incident occurred, four people were seriously hurt and 12 were lightly injured.