Playing with fire causes China orphanage blaze

ZHENGZHOU - Friday's orphanage blaze which left seven dead in central China's Henan Province was caused by children playing with fire, investigators said on Tuesday.

An investigation team consisting of police and fire fighting experts confirmed the cause after a spot inspection, simulated tests and inquiries, said the publicity department of the Kaifeng City Committee of the Communist Party of China.

Seven people, including six children and one 20-year-old man, died on Friday morning in the fire at the unregistered orphanage, which was owned by local resident Yuan Lihai in Lankao County, Kaifeng City.

All the deceased were orphans or abandoned children who were adopted by Yuan. They were left at home unattended when the fire broke out, as Yuan was taking other older children to school.

Yang Peimin, head of Lankao's civil affairs bureau, and five other officials have been suspended from their posts pending further investigation.