REGIONAL> Society
15 killed in bar fire accident in E.China province
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-02-01 10:30

Altogether 15 people were confirmed dead and 17 others were injured when fireworks set fire at a bar in east China's Fujian Province Saturday night, the local government said.

A Latin-style bar and restaurant in Changle City caught fire at around 11:55 p.m., when about 10 young men and women in a birthday party set off fireworks at their table, a city government spokesman said early Sunday.

The festive explosive set the ceiling on fire and the entire place was soon engulfed in flames, the spokesman said.

He said the fire was put out in about 30 minutes and 35 people were found in the relic -- 15 of whom were suffocated. "Three of the injured are still in critical condition and the other 17 are out of danger after overnight treatment."

Most of the victims are being treated at Changle City Hospital, about one km from the bar.

"The flames spread very fast and many of the diners were unable to escape," said Li Ming, who suffered slight injuries. "Fortunately, fire engines and ambulances arrived shortly and we were all sent to hospital."

Police cordoned off the bar on the downtown Zhenghe Road shortly after the accident. Investigation is still going on.

The Fujian provincial government has ordered all-out efforts to save lives "at all costs".

Saturday was the last day of the week-long holiday marking the Spring Festival, or the Chinese Lunar New Year, which fell on Jan.26 this year.

Changle City has closed all entertainment facilities following the tragedy.

The city, whose name translates into "lasting happiness", is about 29 km from the provincial capital Fuzhou and has about 680,000 people.