Ten persons including two women were on Friday killed and 13 others injured when a fire broke out in a hotel in Babaganj area in Pratapgarh.

The incident occurred at about 4.30 am in Goyal Hotel.

10 persons were killed and 13 injured in the blaze, Superintendent of Police Balikaran Yadav said, adding efforts were being made to identify the victims who were staying in the hotel.

Prima facie the cause of fire appeared to be short circuit, he said.

The injured have been rushed to hospital, where condition of seven was stated to be critical.

They were referred to nearby Allahabad district for better treatment.

Pratapgarh is about 170 km from state capital Lucknow.

Photograph: Sandeep Pal