Home>News Center>China
       
 

Deadly Shanghai fire kills 10, injures 19
By Jiao Xiaoyang, Cao Li (China Daily)
Updated: 2005-04-29 22:57

SHANGHAI: A fire which claimed the lives of migrant workers at an illegal residential building in Shanghai has been described as one of the city's deadliest tragedies in recent memory.

Bystanders gather at the factory-turned  resident building in which migrant works live in, April 29, 2005. [newsphoto] 

Ten people were killed - including a nine-year-old girl - and another 19 injured when the fire quickly razed a disused factory in the downtown area just before dawn.

Over 70 of the occupants living on upper floors clambered to safety onto the roof of neighbouring buildings.

But nearly 30 workers sleeping on the third floor woke too late.

The 19 rushed to hospital suffered injuries after leaping from windows.

"The stairs were all on fire. Many saved their lives by jumping," said an eye witness.

Twenty fire engines fought the blaze on Gaoxing Road.

The 19 injured were rushed to the Ruijin Hospital and the Shanghai No 9 People's Hospital.

Police are now investigating the cause and it is understood two men have been arrested for illegally renting the disused building to migrant workers and ignoring fire safety regulations.

According to neighbours, the building doubled-up as a recycling station. Within, on the upper floors, lived over 100 workers who are believed to come from Anhui Province.

The ground floor of the building was filled with garbage, said a local resident.

The Shanghai local government has formed a committee to investigate the tragedy.

And Shanghai Mayor Han Zheng has ordered fire and safety checks at buildings throughout the city.


(China Daily 04/30/2005 page1)



 
  Today's Top News     Top China News
 

CPC, KMT leaders vow to end hostility across the Straits

 

   
 

New authority to oversee energy sector

 

   
 

EU launches investigation into textile imports

 

   
 

Pandas could make maiden trip to Taiwan

 

   
 

Pentagon proposes China-US military hotline

 

   
 

Deadly Shanghai fire kills 10, injures 19

 

   
  Foreign companies ignoring labour laws
   
  WTO fearing escalation of textile trade row
   
  Pentagon proposes China-US military hotline
   
  New rules to tackle construction deaths
   
  Hong Kong's good life losing its appeal
   
  Toxic gas leak victims in stable condition
   
 
  Go to Another Section  
 
 
  Story Tools  
   
  Related Stories  
   
Fire in Shanghai leaves 10 dead, 19 injured
   
Woman admits starting France hotel fire
   
Child's body found in Paris fire debris
   
Paris hotel fire kills 20, half of them children
   
Paris hotel fire kills at least 17
   
Blaze engulfs major market in Niger's capital
   
Fire in red-crested crane habitat under control
  News Talk  
  It is time to prepare for Beijing - 2008  
Advertisement