At least 38 people have been killed when a van carrying inflammable liquid hit a bus on a highway in central China, state media report.

The collision in Hunan province triggered a fire and explosion which destroyed five vehicles, the Xinhua news agency said.

Another five people were injured in the accident, which occurred at around 3.00am local time on Saturday, Xinhua said, citing police.

The fire was finally put out by about 8.00am.

The double-decker long-distance bus, with capacity for 53 occupants, was travelling between the eastern coastal province of Fujian and Guizhou in the southwest when the crash occurred.

Senior work safety and transport ministry officials and police were heading to the site to investigate, Xinhua said.