At least 55 people have died in a fire blaze that gutted down a poultry processing plant fire in northeast China's Jilin Province on Monday morning. But authorities feared the death tally could rise in the comings days since there are still other workers believed to be trapped inside the building.

When the fire broke at around 6:06 a.m. in Mishazi township, near Dehui, survivors told Xinhua News at least 300 workers were already believed to be working inside the plant. The fire started at a slaughterhouse owned by the Jilin Baoyuanfeng Poultry Company.

Despite the gate being locked, about 100 workers managed to escape when the fire occurred, Xinhua reported.

As of lunchtime local time in China, the authorities have yet to put out and control the fire blaze. Rescue work is likewise simultaneously being conducted.

Authorities theorised the fire blaze may have been triggered by three early-morning explosions in the plant's electrical system. Unidentified workers quoted by state broadcaster CCTV said the fire broke out during a change of shifts. They believed it may have started in a locker room.

Jilin Baoyuanfeng Poultry Company, the plant owner, is a major producer of processed chicken with a total workforce of about 1,200 people.

Footage from CCTV showed dark smoke billowing up from the cement structures.

"The complicated interior structure of the prefabricated house in which the fire broke out and the narrow exits have added difficulties to the rescue work, sources with rescue forces said," the Xinhua report said.