At least 20 people were killed in a fire that broke out in a building in central Jakarta on Tuesday after a battery exploded on the first floor, with flames quickly spreading to upper levels.

The Jakarta Central Police Chief said the victims included five men and 15 women, among them a pregnant woman, noting that most died from suffocation with no signs of burns.

Fire crews continue searching for missing persons as an investigation is underway to determine the cause of the explosion and whether safety standards were met inside the building.