The Work Safety Committee of China's State Council on Wednesday announced that it will oversee an investigation into a nursing home fire in north China's Hebei Province.

In a statement, the committee called on the province to promptly investigate and find out the cause of the accident as soon as possible.

The fire has left 20 people dead, local authorities said earlier on Wednesday.

A total of 39 elderly residents were residing in the building when the blaze broke out at around 9 p.m. on Tuesday in Longhua County, Chengde City.

The fire was extinguished by around 11 p.m. A total of 20 people were confirmed dead as of 3 a.m. on Wednesday, while 19 others were sent to hospital for examination.

The person in charge of the nursing home has been detained by police. 

(With input from Xinhua)