CHINA> Regional
Short circuit blamed for fatal fire in N China
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-12-24 16:47

TAIYUAN - A short circuit in an electrical wire has been found to be the cause of a fire that killed seven people in a massage parlor in north China's Shanxi Province earlier this month, local authorities said Wednesday.

Investigators have ruled out arson, TV explosion, and fire residues as causes of the deadly blaze happened on December 12 in the Mingren Massage Parlor in Yanhu District, Yuncheng City, a city government spokesman said.

Four men and three women were smothered to death by smoke from the fire, he said.

Local authorities have temporarily closed all entertainment venues in the city and are carrying out safety checks, he added.