A community in southern China is reeling after a fatal fire broke out on Tuesday night. The blaze, which tore through a property in Shantou, Guangdong province, has resulted in the deaths of 12 people.
Initially, reports on Wednesday morning indicated that eight individuals had perished, with four others rushed to the hospital for treatment. Sadly, updated official statements confirmed that those injured succumbed to the disaster, raising the total death toll to 12.
Timeline of the Shantou Residential Fire
The incident occurred rapidly. According to authorities, the fire ignited around 9:20 pm. Emergency responders acted quickly, managing to extinguish the flames shortly after 10:00 pm.
Despite the fire lasting less than an hour, the damage was catastrophic. The structure involved was a four-story, self-built building made of reinforced concrete. Local fire department officials noted that the flames scorched an area of approximately 150 square meters (1,600 square feet).
Investigations and Regional Safety Concerns
Authorities have launched a full investigation to determine the cause of the Shantou residential fire. Officials are also currently managing post-disaster handling protocols.
This event underscores a growing concern regarding building safety in the region. It comes just weeks after a separate, massive tragedy in neighboring Hong Kong. Last month, a fire engulfed multiple high-rise towers there, resulting in a reported 160 deaths.
That prior incident had already triggered a government campaign to target fire hazards in high-rise structures. This latest fire in a smaller, self-built property may prompt further scrutiny into residential safety standards across southern China.
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