Department Store Fire - At least 16 deaths in China building fire
At a high-rise building fire in China, at least 16 people have died. According to the official Xinhua news agency, the fire broke out at a 14-story building in the southwestern Chinese city of Zigong (Sichuan Province) in the evening (local time). Preliminary investigations suggest that the fire was caused by construction work in a department store within the building.
Videos published by the Chinese internet portal "The Paper" showed a building surrounded by thick smoke. People were seen waiting on the roof for rescue. According to Xinhua, rescue operations have already been completed. There are no more trapped individuals.
The fire department in Beijing was mobilized to assist with the rescue efforts, as the incident gained national attention. Xinhua reported that leaders in Zigong expressed deep sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims. Despite the completion of rescue operations, efforts to investigate the cause of the high-rise fire in Zigong, China, continue at the 14-story building.
