Fire Kills 19 in Beijing Apartment Building

A fire broke out in a Beijing apartment building killing 19 people and injuring eight others, China Daily reports.

The deadly blaze occurred on Saturday evening in a three-story apartment building in Xinjian Village in Daxing District. Thirty-four fire engines were called to the scene. It took three hours for firefighters to extinguish the blaze. All eight people who were injured in the fire were taken to the hospital.

Although an investigation is currently underway, authorities believe that the fire broke out in the basement. This is the third major fire in Daxing this year, South China Morning Post reports.

Police have taken multiple suspects into custody. Although there is no word on whether the suspects intentionally started the fire or if it was due to negligence.

In response to the deadly fire, Cai Qi, secretary of the Communist Party, has called for citywide safety inspections and more demolition of more illegal structures.

"Lessons of the fire is extremely grave. The city must be on high alert. We must take actions and protect people's lives and safeguard the safety and stability of the capital," he said.

[Images via Reuters]

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