Fire at shopping mall in Zigong, China kills 16 people

Fire breaks out in Zigong shopping mall

A fire at a shopping mall in the southwestern Chinese city of Zigong killed 16 people on Wednesday evening, as reported by state media.

The fire erupted in a 14-story commercial building, which houses a department store, offices, restaurants, and a movie theatre.

Firefighters and rescuers responded to the call shortly after 6 p.m. and managed to pull 75 people to safety, according to the official news agency Xinhua.

Rescue efforts continued throughout the night, ending at 3 a.m. on Thursday, as stated by state broadcaster CCTV.

The exact cause of the fire is still under investigation, although preliminary findings suggest it was related to construction operations.

Thick smoke and flames engulf 14-story building

Social media videos showed thick black smoke billowing from the lower levels of the building, engulfing the entire structure.

Huge flames were visible as firefighters battled the blaze with water sprays and drones.

The fire’s cause remains unknown, and it is not clear how many people were inside the building when the fire started.

Fire hazards continue to be a significant issue in China.

According to Li Wanfeng, a spokesperson for the National Fire and Rescue Administration, there were 947 fire fatalities reported in the first several months of this year, a 19% increase from the same period last year.

Fires in public places like hotels and restaurants have risen by 40%, with common causes being electrical or gas line malfunctions and carelessness.

Previous fires in China highlight ongoing safety concerns

This incident follows other recent fires in China.

In January, a fire in a commercial building in Jiangxi province killed 39 people, caused by unauthorized welding in the basement.

In February, a residential building fire in Nanjing killed 15 people, originating from an attached parking lot with electric bikes.

These incidents underscore the ongoing challenges of fire safety in China.

Despite efforts to improve safety measures, the frequency and severity of such fires remain a concern.