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| Firefighters use illuminating facility to search for survivors on the residential building in the downtown area of Shanghai, east China, Nov. 16, 2010. The death toll of a big fire that engulfed a high-rise building in downtown Shanghai had risen to 53 by 9:20 a.m. Tuesday, local authorities said. More than 70 people injured are being hospitalized. (Xinhua) |
SHANGHAI, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- The death toll of a big fire that engulfed a high-rise building in downtown Shanghai had risen to 53 by 9:20 a.m. Tuesday, local authorities said.
More than 70 people injured in the inferno are being hospitalized.
The 28-story building at the intersection of Jiaozhou Road and Yuyao Road in Jing'an District, a densely-populated area in Shanghai, was being renovated when it caught fire at about 2:15 p.m. Monday.
The fire was mostly extinguished at 6:30 p.m. after local authorities dispatched 25 fire units and more than 100 fire engines to the scene. Helicopters were sent to rescue people trapped on the roof.
The cause of the fire remained unknown, but a witness said he saw construction materials burning before the fire climbed up the scaffolding and quickly spread.
Jing'an District government has arranged food and accommodations for fire-affected residents evacuated to nearby hotels.
Residents said the building, built in the 1990s, housed mainly teachers from several schools in Jing'an District, many of whom were retired.
Related:
China's police chief calls for thorough investigation on cause of Shanghai high-rise fire
SHANGHAI, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Public Security Minister Meng Jianzhu early Tuesday morning called for a thorough investigation into the cause of Monday's fatal fire in a downtown Shanghai residential building.
People responsible for the accident, which had claimed 42 lives by 10 p.m. Monday, would be punished in accordance with laws, Meng said. Full story
Investigation team set up for Shanghai high-rise fire
SHANGHAI, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- An investigation team under the State Council, or China's Cabinet, for Monday's fatal fire in downtown Shanghai residential building was set up early Tuesday morning, as announced by China's police chief.
Meng Jianzhu, Chinese Public Security Minister, arrived at the site early in the morning to guide rescue and relief work. He also visited the injured who are being treated in hospital. Full story
