Ten youth players have been killed in an early morning fire at the training centre of one of Brazil's biggest football clubs, reports say.

The deadly blaze is believed to have struck a dormitory where the Flamengo youngsters sleep.

Three people, aged 14, 15 and 16, were injured in the blaze in western Rio de Janeiro.

They were taken to nearby hospitals and their conditions were not immediately known.

Firefighters were called just after 5am to the club's Ninho de Urubu state-of-the-art complex that was refurbished two months ago.


Image: Firefighters at the scene of the deadly blaze

Aerial footage showed smoke rising from a burnt-out area of the centre.

It is not clear what caused the blaze.

Like other professional clubs in Brazil, Flamengo has a youth development programme for promising young players in their early teens.

Many players stay at the facilities while training.

Image: Brazilian football star Zico pictured playing for Flamengo in 1970

Football stars including Zico, Junior and Leonardo have played for Flamengo as youths and also during their senior careers.

It is one of the country's best-supported clubs and is well-known around the world.