Deadly Fire Engulfs Residential Building In Eastern Chinese City Of Nanjing

Posted by: lukwago J in World news February 24, 2024

At least 15 people have lost their lives after a fire broke out in a residential building in Nanjing, Eastern China according to officials speaking at a press conference on Saturday (Feb 24), the fire erupted early Friday morning (Feb 23), believed to have originated on the building’s ground floor where electric bicycles were kept.

The incident occurred in Nanjing’s Yuhuatai district, situated approximately 260 kilometres northwest of Shanghai. By 6:00 am, firefighters managed to extinguish the blaze, concluding search and rescue efforts by 2:00 pm Friday. evening. Several others have been injured in the tragedy as well.

Thick smoke engulfed multiple floors of the building, hampering rescue operations as well. Firefighters had to break windows and create artificial ventilation to remove the smoke. They conducted floor-to-floor searches to locate any trapped residents.

Sadly, 15 individuals could not be saved despite the efforts of the rescue teams. A few more are being treated for injuries sustained from burns and smoke inhalation.

The cause of the fire is still being investigated by authorities. They will probe how it started and spread so rapidly inside the residential complex.

The fire in Nanjing adds to a concerning pattern of deadly accidents in China, often attributed to lax safety standards and inadequate enforcement.

President Xi Jinping recently had spoken about the need for comprehensive action to address these issues. Recent incidents, including fatal fires in Xinyu and Henan, also bring out the urgent need for improved safety measures.

In January, a fire triggered by unauthorized fire usage in a store resulted in numerous casualties, followed by a tragic dormitory fire in Henan province.

Further incidents, such as the Shanxi coal company office fire and the northwest barbecue restaurant explosion, highlight the ongoing challenges in workplace safety.

This is a tragic incident that has shattered many lives in Nanjing. The local administration has announced financial aid for the affected families.

An expression of condolences was also offered to the grieving kin of the deceased. Strict quality checks on fire safety mechanisms will be reinforced to prevent such devastating fires in the future.

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