Police officials work at the site of a fire accident in southern Indian city of Bengaluru, on Jan. 8, 2018. At least five people were charred to death early Monday in a devastating fire that broke out at a bar and restaurant in Bengaluru, police said. (Xinhua/Stringer)

NEW DELHI, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) -- At least five people were charred to death early Monday in a devastating fire that broke out at a bar and restaurant in southern Indian city of Bengaluru, police said.

According to officials, the dead were identified as employees working at the bar, who were sleeping when the blaze engulfed it.

"Early today at around 2:30 a.m. (local time) fire broke out at Kailash bar and restaurant in Kalasipalyam, a busy and congested area here," a police official said.

Following the incident, fire department officials rushed to the spot to contain blaze from spreading to adjoining areas.

Reports said it took several hours for the firefighters to douse flames.

The bodies were taken to a hospital in the city for post-mortem. Police have registered a case and ordered investigations to ascertain the cause of fire.

Last month, 14 people, including 11 women, were killed and 20 others injured in a deadly pub fire on the terrace of trade house building of Kamala Mills compound in Mumbai.