Scene of the?building collapse. [Photo/Yanzhao Metropolis News]?

SHIJIAZHUANG - Staff in charge of running a kindergarten in north China has been detained after a building housing the school collapsed on Saturday afternoon killing three students, local authorities said.

The incident happened in Chunlei Kindergarten in Yongqing county, Hebei province, at around 4:15 pm, according to the county government.

Three kids were seriously injured and they later died in hospital.

Another three were also sent to hospital for treatment. One was slightly hurt and the other two were in a shock.

Authorities are investigating the cause of the incident.

Covering an area of 1,900 sq m of land, the privately-owned kindergarten has 260 students and 19 staff.