Fire Kills 10 in China’s Tianjin Port City Where Deadly Explosions Occurred in 2015

Ten people died and five were injured in a fire early Friday [Dec. 1] in a northern Chinese port city where scores were killed in an explosion two years ago.

The fire department in Tianjin said the blaze broke out at 4 a.m. in a mixed residential-office building and was extinguished in less than three hours. It said the cause was unknown but that one individual is being held as part of the investigation. The official Xinhua News Agency said materials used for interior decoration are believed to have contributed to the blaze.

At a briefing Friday, a city official expressed condolences to the families of the victims and said a city-wide inspection would be conducted to prevent similar accidents.

“We feel great sorrow for such accident, and I, as the deputy mayor in charge of urban construction and management, have undeniable responsibility,” said Sun Wenkui, deputy mayor of Tianjin.

In 2015, an explosion traced to improperly stored chemicals killed at least 173 people in Tianjin, which lies on the Bohai Sea coast about an hour east of Beijing.

China suffers frequent deadly fires and industrial accidents, often blamed on negligence.

Official safety crackdowns have improved conditions in some areas, but many companies still cut corners.

Related:

• Ports in Japan, China and U.S. Face Highest Risk from Natural Catastrophes: RMS
• Insurance Claims from China’s Tianjin Port Blasts Rise to $3.5B: Swiss Re’s ‘sigma’
• Cost of Tianjin Explosions Could Reach $3.3 Billion: Guy Carpenter

Topics China