A fire at a textile workshop in Moscow has killed 12 people, including three children.

The blaze erupted late on Saturday in north-eastern Moscow, Russia's Investigative Committee said.

It engulfed an area of 3,000 square metres. The Committee said arson is one of the possible causes.

Russian children's rights ombudsman Pavel Astakhov confirmed three children including a baby were among those who died. He said the victims were migrant workers who lived next to their workplace.

It took several dozen fire engines a few hours to extinguish the blaze and investigators are continuing to rummage through the rubble for evidence.