Eight babies have been killed in a hospital fire in Algeria, an official source at the Algerian Civil Defense Directorate has said.

The blaze started in the labor and delivery hospital in eastern Algeria before dawn today.

"We managed to rescue 11 babies, 107 women and 28 staff after the fire erupted at 03:50 am in the hospital in Oued Souf city," spokesman Captain Nassim Bernaoui said.

He added, "Unfortunately, we regret the deaths of eight babies, some died of burns and others of smoke inhalation."

Dozens of fire engines were deployed to put out the fire. The cause of the fire was not immediately clear, Bernaoui noted.

Algerian Prime Minister, Noureddine Bedoui has ordered an inquiry and sent Health Minister Mohamed Miraoui to the scene of the fire.

PM Bedoui has also expressed his deepest condolences to the families of the victims.