Feb 11 2009
Beijing Fire Updates
The fire at the construction site of the 40-floor Mandarin Oriental Hotel on Feb 9th seems to have been lit by fireworks, as suspected.
From the CCTV website came this statement:
“Beijing Fire Control Bureau says CCTV staff responsible for the construction of the new TV complex, hired staff to ignite large festive firecrackers outside the building, and caused the fire. The move did not receive approval from related authorities. The fire has caused severe damage. CCTV sincerely apologizes for the damage that the fire caused, and the inconvenience it has brought to the public.”
All employees were safe and are accounted for after the fire, though a fireman did lose his life battling the flames.
