A devastating fire in a residential building in southern China has claimed 12 lives, according to state media reports on Wednesday. The blaze broke out in a four‑storey, self‑built reinforced‑concrete structure in Shantou, Guangdong province, at approximately 9:20 p.m. on Tuesday. The local fire department extinguished the flames by 10:00 p.m., after the fire had affected about 150 square metres of the building.
Initial reports on Wednesday morning said eight people had died and four others were injured and taken to hospital. State media outlet Xinhua later confirmed that the death toll had risen to 12. The Chaonan District Fire and Rescue Team has opened an investigation into the cause of the fire and is handling the aftermath in an orderly manner, although authorities have not yet released details about the fire’s origin.
The incident follows a massive fire that engulfed several high‑rise residential towers in neighboring Hong Kong last month, killing 160 people. In response to that tragedy, China launched a campaign to address fire hazards in high‑rise buildings. The recent Shantou fire underscores the ongoing need for vigilance, regular inspections, and maintenance of fire‑prevention systems in residential properties.
As China continues to urbanize and expand its infrastructure, ensuring citizen safety remains a top priority. The government’s fire‑hazard campaign is a crucial step toward preventing similar tragedies in the future.
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