At least 28 workers were killed in a massive fire inside a coal mine in China, the authorities said Sunday.

Among the 28 miners killed in the northwest China's Shaanxi province, 10 were locals while others were from other provinces, said a spokesperson in Hancheng City, where the accident happened.

Police said Sunday they had detained the coal mine's owner, Guo Yungang, Xinhua reported.

The incident occurred Saturday night when an underground cable caught fire at the Xiaonangou coal mine in Sangshuping Township, according to the provincial government.