Society

2 hurt, 500 evacuated in Beijing's hotel fire

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2011-05-24 19:57

BEIJING - Two foreigners were injured and 500 people evacuated after a hotel caught fire Tuesday afternoon, said local firefighters.

The Traders Upper East Hotel, northeast of Beijing's Central Business District, was reported on fire to police at 12:50 pm..

A total of 126 firemen using 18 fire engines extinguished the blaze after battling it for one hour. A 90 meter scaling ladder was also used by the firemen to rescue those trapped and contain the blaze.

Two foreigners were found stuck on the 24th floor and firemen carried the two on their back to the ground. The two foreigners are receiving treatment in hospital, said firemen.

An initial investigation has revealed the fire started in the cable shaft between the 19th and 21st floor.