STORY: 39 killed, 9 injured in east China building fire
SHOOTING TIME: Jan. 25, 2024
DATELINE: Jan. 25, 2024
LENGTH: 00:00:26
LOCATION: XINYU, China
CATEGORY: OTHERS

SHOTLIST:
1. SOUNDBITE (Chinese): XU HONG, Mayor of Xinyu City

STORYLINE:

Thirty-nine people were killed and nine others injured after a building fire broke out Wednesday afternoon in the city of Xinyu in east China's Jiangxi Province, local authorities said.

The fire broke out from the building at around 3 p.m. in the Yushui District of Xinyu, said the local fire response emergency headquarters.

SOUNDBITE (Chinese): XU HONG, Mayor of Xinyu City
"The fire was put out at 6:50 p.m. Wednesday, and the rescue operations concluded at 8:50 p.m.. 39 people were killed and nine others injured. Among the injured, eight are in stable condition, while another one is being rescued."

The fire started at the basement of a six-story commercial and residential brick-concrete structure. The flame quickly spread to shops on the first and second floors.

A preliminary investigation revealed that the fire was caused by illegal use of fire by workers for the refurbishment of a cold storage inside the basement. The thick smoke quickly engulfed up to the second floor, which is occupied by training facilities and a hotel.

The public security authorities have already placed 12 responsible people in custody.

The provincial authorities vowed to hold those responsible accountable in accordance with the investigation results. Also, they ordered a "blanket" inspection to identify hidden safety dangers in street shops, schools and crowded places such as scenic spots and shopping malls.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Xinyu, China
(XHTV)