38 killed in central China fire

BEIJING: Thirty-eight people were killed and two were injured in a fire at a factory in central China, state media said yesterday, with authorities blaming workers for illegal welding.

The fire broke out at a plant in Anyang City in Henan Province on Monday a ernoon, news agency Xinhua reported.

Rescue services first received reports of a fire at 4.22pm (0822 GMT) at Anyang Kaixinda Trading Co, Ltd, according to state media.

“A er receiving the alarm, the municipal fire rescue detachment immediately dispatched forces to the scene,” state broadcaster CCTV said.

It added that the fire was extinguished by around 11 pm local time.

Footage from the scene shared by CCTV showed thick plumes of black smoke from the fire, with at least two trucks in position to ba le the flames.

In addition to the dead, two were sent to hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening, the state-run People’s Daily said.

Authorities said “criminal suspects” had been taken into custody in connection with the fire.

CCTV then reported, citing local officials, that a preliminary investigation had found the fire was caused by “electric welding in which workers violated safety measures.”

According to data provider Tianyancha, Anyang Kaixinda Trading Co is a wholesale trader dealing in machinery, building materials, non-hazardous chemicals, clothing and firefighting equipment.

Industrial accidents are common in China due to weak safety standards and corruption among officials tasked with enforcing them.