A deadly fire charred at least five COVID-19 patients to death on Friday in a hospital in India's western state of Gujarat, officials said.

The blaze broke out inside the intensive care unit (ICU) of Shivanand hospital in Rajkot district, about 237 kilometers west of Gandhinagar, the capital city of Gujarat.

"Earlier today a fire broke out inside the ICU of a designated COVID-19 hospital in which five patients were killed," local media quoted officials as saying, adding "six patients have been rescued, out of which one is said to be critical."

According to officials, 22 patients have been shifted safely to another hospital. 

Preliminary investigations revealed the inferno started from the ICU of the hospital. 

The cause of the fire was not immediately known. However, short-circuit is suspected to be the reason. 

An investigation into the incident has been ordered. 

(With input from Xinhua)