A devastating fire broke out early Friday morning in a residential building in the Yuhuatai district of Nanjing, China. Local authorities confirmed the tragic outcome of 15 deaths and 44 injuries. A preliminary investigation indicates that the fire originated from the building’s first floor, where electric bikes were stored.
The fire was extinguished by 6 a.m. local time, with search and rescue operations concluding by 2 p.m. Forty-four injured individuals received hospital treatment, with one in critical condition and another seriously injured.
Distressing footage of the fire circulated on Chinese social media. Witnesses saw a skyscraper ablaze at night, heavy black smoke billowing outwards. Videos and images documented flames engulfing multiple floors and emergency vehicles rushing to the scene.
Nanjing’s mayor, Chen Zhichang, expressed condolences and apologies to the families of the deceased. This latest incident highlights a concerning pattern of deadly fires in China. Recent tragedies have been attributed to lax safety standards and inadequate enforcement. President Xi Jinping has called for urgent measures to prevent such preventable accidents.
