Safety committee to monitor probe into fatal Guangzhou shop fire

The Guangdong Provincial Work Safety Committee will supervise the investigation into a shop fire in Guangzhou that killed five people and injured three, according to an official letter posted online on Thursday.

The fire broke out on July 22 at a shop in Xintang town, Zengcheng district. The letter did not disclose the cause of the fire or the condition of those injured.

The committee instructed Guangzhou authorities to promptly establish an investigation team and conduct the probe in accordance with relevant laws and Ministry of Emergency Management rules targeting fires classified as production safety accidents.

The city was also told to coordinate with discipline inspection and supervision authorities to launch a parallel accountability investigation and hold responsible entities and individuals accountable in accordance with the law.

An initial investigation report must be submitted within seven days of the accident, followed by progress updates every 15 days, the letter said.