Two killed in fire at Guizhou scenic area

Two villagers were killed during a fire at a homestay at a popular scenic spot at Xijiang village in Leishan, Guizhou province, on Monday morning, local authorities said. Another six were injured but are in stable condition.

The fire broke out at 9:50 am and lasted about 30 minutes before it was extinguished by firefighters, the Leishan emergency management bureau said in a statement, adding two wooden houses caught fire, totaling 450 square kilometers.

A tourist surnamed Ye who was visiting the scenic area told Hubei province-based Jiupai News that the fire engulfed a homestay near the entrance of a scenic spot, which is renowned for its buildings in the Miao ethnic style. She said there were people jumping out of its third-story window who were caught by rescuers.

The Leishan emergency bureau said the cause of the fire is under investigation and the handling of the aftermath is underway.