Police in southeast China have detained seven "troublemakers" for setting off fireworks in a bar, causing a blaze that killed as many as 17 people, state media reported Monday.

Following Saturday's fire in Changle city, police were also investigating seven staff members at the bar, and were searching for the establishment's legal representative, Xinhua news agency said.

The fire erupted shortly before midnight when a group of young people set off fireworks inside the bar, igniting the roof, the Xinhua news agency reported.

Xinhua said 15 people were killed in the fire, while another 24 were injured, three of them seriously. The China News Service reported 17 killed, including two who died from their injuries in hospital.

The deadly accident happened towards the end of the Lunar New Year, which Chinese across the world celebrate with massive amounts of fireworks and firecrackers.