HOHHOT -- A forest fire was extinguished Friday after burning for three days in North China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region, local authorities said.

By noon Friday, the emergency response team, consisting of more than 9,400 firefighters, police and civilians, had put out the fire, which broke out Tuesday in Bilahe Beidahe Forest in the Greater Hinggan Mountains, according to the local fire authority.

The fire spread across more than 11,500 hectares of forest.

Authorities said the blaze was caused by dumped smoldering coal and a suspect is currently in police detention.

Steps are now being taken to prevent the fire reigniting.