In a heartbreaking incident in central China, 13 individuals lost their lives due to a fire that engulfed a school dormitory. The disaster struck on a Friday night at a privately-run school located in Yanshanpu village, within the Henan province, as reported by Xinhua, China’s state news agency.
Devastating Incident at a Youth School
The school, situated near the city of Nanyang, caters to nursery and primary-aged children. Following the incident, authorities have detained the school’s manager, and an investigation into the cause of the fire is currently underway. In addition to the tragic loss of lives, one individual is undergoing treatment in a hospital but is reported to be in a stable condition.
Rapid Response and Unanswered Questions
Firefighters managed to extinguish the blaze in less than an hour after being notified. However, the identities of the deceased and the specific cause of the fire remain undisclosed in official reports.
Context of Fire Safety in China
This unfortunate event adds to a series of fatal fires in China, where lapses in building and safety regulations have frequently been a concern. Just a month prior, 26 people perished in a fire at an office building in Luliang City, Shanxi province. Another notable incident occurred last April in Beijing, where a hospital fire claimed the lives of at least 29 people, primarily patients, leading to the detention of 12 individuals for questioning.
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