County bans fireworks from conservation area

Government authorities in Pingyao county, Shanxi province, have permanently banned fireworks in its conservation area to protect precious local wood and brick buildings.

The ban, which was released on Saturday, came after blazes severely destroyed cultural heritage sites over the past few months and caused the authorities to tighten fire controls.

The storage, sale and setting off of fireworks have all been banned in the county's ancient city conservation area.