Guangzhou [China], December 10 (ANI): Twelve people lost their lives after a fire broke out in a residential building in Shantou City, Guangdong Province, on Tuesday night, local authorities reported on Wednesday. The blaze erupted around 9:20 pm in Chaonan District and was brought under control within 40 minutes, according to the district fire department.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the building was a four-storey, self-built concrete structure, with the fire spreading across nearly 150 square metres. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the incident.
The tragedy comes just weeks after Hong Kong experienced one of its deadliest modern fires, which killed more than 140 people after sweeping through several high-rise residential towers. Officials in Hong Kong reported that bodies were recovered from apartments, stairwells, and rooftops, and the full identification process is expected to take several weeks.
The Hong Kong fire had sparked widespread public anger, with residents citing long-standing safety lapses, unregulated construction practices, and the use of bamboo scaffolding and flammable foam boards during renovations, which may have accelerated the spread of flames. More than 1,000 people had gathered last month to mourn the victims, leaving flowers, notes, and holding silent prayers at the site.
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