Management personnel from the owner and property management company of an apartment building in Taiyuan, Shanxi province, have been placed under control following a fire that killed 14 people and injured 25 others, local authorities said on Monday.
The fire broke out at 4:59 pm on Sunday at an apartment building in Yingze district. Firefighters arrived at the scene five minutes later and extinguished the flames by 7 pm. Search and rescue operations concluded at 8:30 pm, with 60 people who had been trapped in the building evacuated or rescued.
As of Monday afternoon, 25 people remained hospitalized, including nine critically injured, four seriously injured and 12 with minor injuries, according to a news conference held by the Taiyuan municipal government.
READ MORE: Death toll rises to 14 in north China building fire
The cause of the fire remains under investigation. An official from Taiyuan said the findings would be made public in accordance with laws and regulations, providing an accountable explanation to the families of those killed and those injured.
Following the fire, local authorities established an emergency response team to coordinate rescue operations, medical treatment and other relief efforts.
More than 1,500 emergency personnel deployments were made in total, including 243 firefighters from 13 fire and rescue stations, supported by 41 fire engines.
A total of 24 ambulances were dispatched, along with more than 100 medical personnel deployments to transport and treat the injured. Every effort is being made to ensure they receive the best possible medical care. Medical resources at the provincial and municipal levels have been coordinated, with a dedicated medical team and an individualized treatment plan arranged for each patient. A medical expert team dispatched by the National Health Commission also arrived at a designated hospital to provide guidance.
Post-incident work includes providing support to the families of the deceased, offering psychological counseling to the injured and handling accident compensation, according to the news conference.
Local authorities said priority would be given to vulnerable family members, including the elderly, the sick and those living alone, to ensure their needs are addressed promptly.
The government will step up fire safety efforts, monitor risks in key industries and sectors, and launch a citywide campaign to inspect and rectify potential safety hazards.
Contact the writers at chenmeiling@chinadaily.com.cn
