Days after Hong Kong inferno, deadly fire in China’s Guangdong kills 12; self-built building under scrutiny
PTC Web Desk: Just days after Hong Kong’s devastating Tai Po fire claimed 160 lives, mainland China has been struck by another deadly blaze, this time in Shantou, Guangdong province, where at least 12 persons lost their lives after flames engulfed a four-storey residential building. According to state media, the fire erupted around 9.20 pm local time and was brought under control within roughly 40 minutes.
Authorities said the blaze damaged nearly 150 square metres of the structure, located in the manufacturing-dominated Chaonan district. The building, made of reinforced concrete, had a commercial setup on its ground floor, a household appliances and electrical goods shop, while the upper floors served as living quarters. This mixed-use pattern, especially in self-built homes, is common in the region where families often run small businesses from residential spaces.
The tragedy took a particularly heartbreaking turn when a local woman revealed that she had lost four close family members, her parents, grandmother and younger brother, in the incident. Her account highlighted the ongoing safety risks associated with China’s vast number of self-built dwellings. Fire authorities have long warned that such structures often have inadequate staircases, barred windows, improper wiring and few emergency exits, making evacuation extremely challenging during emergencies.
Officials have confirmed that the Shantou building was indeed a self-constructed residence, again raising concerns about the safety standards governing such properties. In response, the Guangdong provincial government has set up a multi-agency investigation team, including police, emergency management units and disciplinary officials, to determine the cause of the blaze and identify any lapses.
This incident comes amid heightened national attention on fire safety. Just weeks earlier, Hong Kong suffered one of its most catastrophic fires in decades, a blaze that burned for nearly two days, destroyed seven high-rise towers and displaced thousands. In the aftermath, Beijing launched a nationwide effort to systematically remove fire hazards in mixed-use and high-density buildings.
- With inputs from agencies
