At least 10 people have been killed and 32 injured in a fire at a hotel in a ski resort in western Turkey, authorities said.

The fire at the Grand Kartal Hotel in Bolu province occurred during the winter holidays for schools across the country, a time when families flock to ski resorts and other vacation spots.

Rescuers are still searching the hotel for survivors, which increases the possibility that the number of victims could increase, NTV television reported.

According to media reports, the fire broke out around 3:30 a.m. local time, when most of the residents were asleep. In an effort to evacuate, some residents strung sheets to make a rope to descend to the lower floor, a video clip is shown.

The cause of the fire was not clear.

Television footage showed smoke billowing from the building framed by snow-capped mountains. Dozens of rescuers and fire trucks were dispatched to the area from surrounding towns.