BEIJING: Seventy one people have been held responsible for the 2009 CCTV building fire that left one fireman dead and brought direct economic losses of 163.83 million yuan ($23.99 million), a statement from the State Council said Wednesday.
Zhao Huayong, who stepped down as head of the state broadcaster in May 2009 after reaching the official retirement age of 60, will receive an administrative demotion along with a severe warning from the Communist Party of China, the statement said.
Of the 71 held responsible, 44 will be referred to the courts for prosecution while 27 others will suffer party and administrative disciplinary measures.
Illegal fireworks caused the blaze in the 30-story building in Beijing's central business district on the night of February 9, 2009. The building housed the nearly-completed Mandarin Oriental Hotel and part of CCTV's new headquarters.
A fireman died and eight, including six firemen and two construction workers, were injured in the blaze.
