Mexican officials say 39 people are dead and 29 were injured in a fire at an immigration detention centre in northern Mexico.

The official spoke on the condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to speak publicly about the matter.

The fire started late on Monday.

Across from El Paso, Texas, in Ciudad Juarez, rows of bodies could be seen lying beneath silver sheets.

Ambulances, firefighters and vans from the mortuary surrounded the scene.

Ciudad Juarez is a major crossing point for migrants attempting to enter the United States.

Its shelters are full of migrants waiting for opportunities to cross or who have requested asylum in the United States and are waiting out the process.