A fire has reportedly claimed 10 people after engulfing a dormitory at the youth team training centre of one of Brazil's biggest football clubs.

Three people were also injured when the fire broke out at Ninho de Urubu, the training ground of Flamengo football club, in Rio de Janeiro.

According to local media, the 10 victims were young athletes. The cause of the fire is not yet known.

Flamengo is one of Brazil's biggest and best-known clubs internationally.

They currently sit at second place in Brazil's Série A table - and have won the league five times.

Former player and Brazil football legend, Ronaldinho, sent his condolences for the "terrible tragedy" in an early tweet on Friday morning.

He published the club's crest in black-and-white alongside the message.

According to the G1 news portal, the fire began at 05:10 (07:10 GMT) and was extinguished by 07:30.

Brazilian football club in air disaster.

None of the victims has been identified but players aged between 14 and 17 are known to have occupied the dormitory.

Those injured in the blaze were taken to a nearby hospital, firefighters say.

In recent time, the area has been hit by severe storms and heavy rain.

The weather may have left the facility without water or electricity when the fire struck, reports on G1 say.

Who are Flamengo?

The club's most prominent former players include World Cup winners Ronaldinho, Bebeto and Romario.

As well as being one of Brazil's most successful football clubs, Flamengo also has basketball, rowing, swimming and volleyball teams.

In a tweet on Friday, the team said it was "in mourning".

The club were due to play their rivals Fluminense on Saturday. The game has been postponed, and other clubs have expressed their condolences.