Five stand trial over deadly building blaze

SHANGHAI - Five people suspected of contributing to an inferno that killed 58 people and injured another 71 on Nov 15, 2010, stood trial at the Shanghai Municipal No 2 People's Court on Monday.

The fire, which set ablaze a residential high-rise in downtown Shanghai, is believed to have been started by two unlicensed welders who, while doing renovation work to a building's exterior, ignited a nylon net that covered a scaffolding. An investigation into the case found the decoration company believed to be responsible for the accident was not qualified to do that sort of work.

On June 24, procuratorate authorities in Shanghai indicted 26 suspects, including the five who stood trial on Monday, for their alleged roles in the fire.