13 killed in China school dormitory fire

A devastating fire broke out at a primary school dormitory in central China’s Henan province, leading to the death of 13 people, state news agency Xinhua reported on Saturday (January 20).

The blaze at the Yingcai School in Henan’s Yanshanpu village was reported to the local fire department at 11 p.m. (1500 GMT) Friday night, Xinhua said.

Thirteen people have been confirmed dead, the news agency said, adding that one person was injured.

“Rescuers arrived at the scene quickly and the flames were extinguished at 11:38 p.m.,” Xinhua said.

The injured survivor “is currently receiving treatment at the hospital and is in stable condition”, according to Xinhua.

Local authorities are investigating the fire’s cause, and at least one person linked to the school has been detained, Xinhua said.

Yanshanpu village lies on the outskirts of Nanyang, a city of nearly 10 million.

Fires and other deadly accidents are common in China due to lax safety standards and poor enforcement.

In November, 26 people died and dozens were sent to hospital after a fire at a coal company office in northern China’s Shanxi province.

In July, 11 people died after the roof of a school gym collapsed in the country’s northeast.