The Dutch news agency ANP said a further 15 people were injured and that the death toll could rise.
All the dead are detainees but some fire fighters and police are among the injured.
The detention centre at the airport is generally used to detain suspected drug smugglers and illegal immigrants. ANP said there were 350 people in the cells.
The wing were the blaze started was holding 43 people.
The cause of the fire was not immediately known. It began shortly after midnight and was brought under control several hours later.
A report on Dutch television said it was unclear if any one held in the detention centre had escaped.
