NEW DELHI - A fire at a hotel in New Delhi has killed at least 17 people, including a child, according to officials.

The blaze erupted in the early hours of Tuesday at Hotel Arpit Palace in a congested part of central New Delhi.

Fire brigade and police officials said the death toll had risen from nine to at least 17 people, with four others sustaining injuries. Images and videos posted on social media showed thick smoke and flames billowing out of the top floor of the hotel.

After an hours-long operation, firefighters rescued 35 people from the hotel, most of which was engulfed in flames.

Among those rescued was Sivanand Chand, 43, a hotel guest who was jolted awake around 4 am, struggling to breathe.

"When I got out of my room, I could hear 'help, help!' from adjoining rooms," Chand told The Associated Press news agency, adding that he opened the window and saw flames rising very fast.

"In 15 minutes, the whole room was black," he said.

The rescue took about 30 minutes because fire engine ladders could not initially reach his floor, he said.(FA)