18-7-2024 (BEIJING) A devastating fire that engulfed a multi-storey department store in China’s southwestern Sichuan province has left 16 people dead, according to state media reports released on Thursday. The incident, which occurred on Wednesday evening, has sent shockwaves through the local community and raised questions about building safety standards in the region.
The inferno broke out in a 14-storey building situated within the high-tech zone of Zigong city, a area known for its rapid development and modernisation efforts. Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos as thick, acrid smoke billowed from the structure, obscuring visibility in the surrounding area and hampering initial rescue attempts.
Emergency services responded swiftly to the unfolding crisis, with firefighters and rescue teams working tirelessly through the night to bring the blaze under control and search for survivors. The gruelling overnight operation finally concluded at 3 am local time, as reported by China’s state broadcaster CCTV.
7月17日，四川自贡九鼎百货发生大火 pic.twitter.com/4pNXJBn7mM
— 李老师不是你老师 (@whyyoutouzhele) July 17, 2024
Preliminary investigations suggest that the fire may have been triggered by ongoing construction work within the building. However, authorities have stressed that a more thorough investigation is currently underway to pinpoint the exact cause of the tragic incident.
