MEXICO CITY (AP) — A prison in northern Mexico is ablaze and local media say numerous inmates appear to have died.

The blaze broke out before dawn at the Topo Chico prison near the city of Monterrey.

Images broadcast by Milenio Television show the fire continuing to blaze, with a crowd of people bundled against the cold gathered outside the prison. The broadcaster reported that inmates appear to have died, but officials of Nuevo Leon state declined to immediately comment.