Fire engulfs 12-storey Urumqi building, three firemen killed

Fire broke out last night at about 8pm in the 12-storey Dehui International Plaza in Urumqi, Xinjiang. Almost 200 fire fighters and 48 fire engines were sent to fight the fire, which they did all night, right up till this morning when they were forced to retreat fearing the tower might collapse any moment. Alas, the fire had by then spread to another neighbouring 20-storey, and they had to continue working. All guests were evacuated safely from the hotel. Latest reports suggest at least three firefighters have lost their lives. This fire comes three weeks after the Wenzhou blaze which we happened to witness with our own eyes. It took away 21 lives.

Related links
Al-Jazeera: Firemen killed in China tower blaze
Reuters: Three firemen die in China office-block blaze
International Herald Tribune: Fire destroys 12-story building in northwest China; two firemen killed
Xinhua: 3 firemen dead in Xinjiang fire, another wounded