Seven people died in two fires in two Chinese cities over Thursday night, police said Friday.

Four people died in a blaze in a two-storey shop in Zhuhong Electrical Product Market in Xi'an, capital of northwest China's Shaanxi Province, late Thursday, police said.

Police said they could not rule out the possibility of arson and they were still investigating the cause.

The owner of the store came from central China's Hunan Province and ran a hardware business, said neighbors.

The first floor was used as a shop and the second floor was a warehouse and bedroom, neighbors said.

The second fire occurred in a rented home in Bao'an District of Shenzhen City, south China's Guangdong Province, at 1:36 a.m. Friday, police said.

Three bodies were found after the fire in the 10-square-meter room was put out at 2 a.m., police said.

Police are investigating the cause of the accident.