Forty-six people have died after a fire in a residential building in Kaohsiung City, southeast China's Taiwan region, local authorities said on Thursday.

The fire reportedly broke out around 2 a.m. on the first floor of a 13-story commercial and residential building that was built over 40 years ago, according to the local fire department. 

As of 3 p.m., 87 people had been taken to the hospital. Among them, 46 are confirmed dead, and 41 are injured.

The blaze was "extremely fierce" and destroyed many floors of the building, AP reported, citing a statement from the local fire department.

Arson has not been ruled out as the cause for the fire, and four people are currently being held by the police for questioning, according to a statement from Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai.

A total of 159 firefighters were dispatched to the blaze, and the fire was extinguished at 7:17 a.m. 

Firefighters continue to comb the building for survivors and investigate the cause of the blaze.

(With input from agencies)