Published: 11:08, January 25, 2024 | Updated: 17:32, January 25, 2024
Call for eliminating safety risks after Jiangxi fire kills 39
By Xinhua

Firefighters with fire extinguishers rush to the site of a building fire in Xinyu city, east China's Jiangxi province, Jan 24, 2024. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

NANCHANG – Chinese Vice-Premier Zhang Guoqing on Thursday called for the elimination of safety risks and the resolute containment of the frequent occurrence of recent accidents after 39 people were killed in a deadly fire at a building in China's eastern Jiangxi province the previous day.

Nine people were also injured in the fire in Yushui district of Xinyu city that broke out at around 3 pm on Wednesday. It originated after workers doing refurbishment of cold storage inside the basement used fire illegally, local authorities said citing a preliminary investigation.

Some students from higher vocational schools were among the dead, local government officials said, adding that they were trying to comfort the victims’ families. 

READ MORE: Xi orders steps to stop repeated accidents after fire kills 39

According to Xu Hong, mayor of Xinyu, heavy smoke soon engulfed shops on the first and second floor of the six-story commercial and residential brick-concrete structure, trapping students at training facilities there and people in a hotel.

Twelve "responsible people" were put into custody and are being investigated by the public security authorities

After the incident, 118 rescuers with 20 fire engines rushed to the scene, putting out the fire at 6:50 pm. The rescue operations concluded at 8:50 pm, with no remaining people trapped, said Gong Junhui, head of the fire brigade of Xinyu.

Total 12 responsible people were put into custody and are being investigated by the public security authorities.

After the incident, President Xi Jinping called for resolute steps to curb the repeated occurrence of accidents to ensure the safety of people's lives and property as well as social stability.

Leading a working team to Xinyu on Wednesday night, Vice-Premier Zhang visited the injured in a hospital and inspected the rescue operation at the site of the accident.

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At a meeting held in the early hours of Thursday, Zhang asked local authorities and relevant departments to go all-out to save the injured, take good care of the families of the victims, and promptly and accurately release information to address public concerns.

Stressing the need to start the investigation into the incident immediately and hold accountable the people involved, he said more forceful and targeted measures should be taken to completely remove safety hazards and ensure there are no blind spots, especially in key places including crowded venues to prevent accidents and ensure the safety of people's lives and property.

Firefighters work at the site of a building fire in Xinyu city in Jiangxi province, Jan 24, 2024. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

The city has launched an inspection to identify hidden fire hazards in all educational institutions, especially boarding schools, and ordered the suspension of all after-school training facilities, said Zeng Xianfeng, head of Xinyu education bureau. 

Meanwhile, the local government said it would enhance regular monitoring at those venues, especially crowded places including kindergartens and schools to reduce fire hazards.  

The provincial authorities vowed to hold those responsible accountable in accordance with the investigation results. Also, they ordered a "blanket" inspection to identify hidden safety dangers in street shops, schools and crowded places such as scenic spots and shopping malls.