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15 die as fireworks set bar alight
Source: Xinhua/Shanghai Daily |
February 2, 2009, Monday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
FIFTEEN people died when a fire sparked by birthday fireworks swept through a bar and restaurant in east China's Fujian Province.
The tragedy follows a similar accident last September which killed 44 people in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province.
The local government said yesterday that 24 people were injured in the blaze in Changle City on Saturday night.
A Latin-style bar and restaurant caught fire just before midnight when about 10 young men and women at a birthday party set off fireworks at their table.
Police have detained the bar owner who rented the premises from Changle Real Estate Company. Seven people who set off the fireworks have also been detained.
The fireworks set fire to the ceiling and soon the entire 198-square-meter restaurant was engulfed in flames, a government spokesman said.
"The fire brigade received the alarm a few minutes after midnight and sent five fire engines to the site," he said.
The fire was put out about 12:20am and 35 people were found inside. Fifteen were pronounced dead from suffocation at the scene, he said.
Three of the injured are still in critical condition and 21 others are stable.
Two other diners, who managed to escape the building, sought medical attention yesterday morning, he said.
Most of the victims suffered smoke inhalation or burns to their heads and limbs, he added. They were all treated at Changle City Hospital before being sent to three hospitals in the provincial capital, Fuzhou.
"The flames spread very fast and many diners were unable to escape," said Li Ming, who suffered slight burns on his limbs. "Fortunately, fire engines and ambulances arrived quickly and we were all taken to hospital."
Police cordoned off the bar on downtown Zhenghe Road shortly after the blaze and started an investigation.
Changle City closed all entertainment facilities following the tragedy.
Last September, fireworks set off during a dance show at an illegal nightclub in Shenzhen sparked a blaze that killed 44 people and injured at least 64 others.
A senior police officer was jailed for 11 years for taking bribes and dereliction of duty in connection with that blaze.
The tragedy follows a similar accident last September which killed 44 people in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province.
The local government said yesterday that 24 people were injured in the blaze in Changle City on Saturday night.
A Latin-style bar and restaurant caught fire just before midnight when about 10 young men and women at a birthday party set off fireworks at their table.
Police have detained the bar owner who rented the premises from Changle Real Estate Company. Seven people who set off the fireworks have also been detained.
The fireworks set fire to the ceiling and soon the entire 198-square-meter restaurant was engulfed in flames, a government spokesman said.
"The fire brigade received the alarm a few minutes after midnight and sent five fire engines to the site," he said.
The fire was put out about 12:20am and 35 people were found inside. Fifteen were pronounced dead from suffocation at the scene, he said.
Three of the injured are still in critical condition and 21 others are stable.
Two other diners, who managed to escape the building, sought medical attention yesterday morning, he said.
Most of the victims suffered smoke inhalation or burns to their heads and limbs, he added. They were all treated at Changle City Hospital before being sent to three hospitals in the provincial capital, Fuzhou.
"The flames spread very fast and many diners were unable to escape," said Li Ming, who suffered slight burns on his limbs. "Fortunately, fire engines and ambulances arrived quickly and we were all taken to hospital."
Police cordoned off the bar on downtown Zhenghe Road shortly after the blaze and started an investigation.
Changle City closed all entertainment facilities following the tragedy.
Last September, fireworks set off during a dance show at an illegal nightclub in Shenzhen sparked a blaze that killed 44 people and injured at least 64 others.
A senior police officer was jailed for 11 years for taking bribes and dereliction of duty in connection with that blaze.
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