BEIJING - THE death toll from a nightclub fire in southern China has risen to 44 with the death in hospital of a women injured in the blaze, the state-run Xinhua news agency said.

It also said in a report late on Tuesday that the number of people arrested over the weekend fire in the city of Shenzhen, near Hong Kong, had risen to 15.

Previously, 13 were reported arrested, including the club's owner and a local official.

The latest victim was a 37-year-old woman, Xinhua said, adding that another 51 people remained hospitalised, including four in critical condition.

State media had said previously that 88 people were injured in Saturday night's fire at the Dance King club.

The blaze was sparked by a performer who shot off fireworks during a show at the unlicensed club, witnesses and state media have said, triggering a stampede through inadequate exits by hundreds of people which added to the toll.

Deadly fires are common in China due to the routine flouting or ignorance of safety measures.

The government said earlier this year that 159,000 fires broke out in China in 2007, killing 1,418 people and injuring 863 others.

However, the toll could actually be higher as local officials are notorious for covering up deadly accidents to avoid punishment.

In 2000, 311 people died in a disco fire in the central city of Luoyang. -- AFP