Three yard workers have been killed during a blaze at a China Shipping (Group) Company yard in the Shanghai Municipality.

The men died today after flames engulfed a Liberian cargoship on which they were working, Chinese newswires report.

After three hours fire crews were able to gain control of the blaze and the flames are now out, the company says.

Police have begun an investigation into the cause of the incident which killed the Chinese nationals.

It is not yet clear at which of China Shipping's four Sinaghai yards the fire occurred.