A devastating fire ripped through a residential building in Nanjing, China, early Friday morning, leaving 15 people dead and 44 injured. The blaze, which started around 4:39 AM local time, is suspected to have originated from electric bikes parked on the ground floor.
According to state media reports, the fire quickly spread upwards, forcing residents to flee for their lives. Some residents reported waking to the sound of an explosion, followed by thick smoke and flames engulfing the building. Footage posted online captured the desperate pleas of residents trapped on higher floors, highlighting the terror and chaos of the situation.
Authorities are now investigating the cause of the fire, with a focus on the role of electric bikes. In 2018, the Chinese government banned the parking and charging of electric bikes inside buildings due to safety concerns. However, residents of the Nanjing complex reportedly raised concerns about the fire hazard posed by parked electric bikes in 2019. These concerns were addressed by officials in 2022, leading to the installation of additional firefighting equipment, according to local media reports.
The tragedy in Nanjing underscores the ongoing challenge of ensuring fire safety in China. This incident comes just two months after several major fires claimed dozens of lives, prompting President Xi Jinping to urge local authorities to prioritize safety measures.
In the wake of this tragedy, questions remain regarding the effectiveness of existing regulations and the enforcement of safety standards. The investigation into the fire will likely shed light on the specific factors that contributed to this tragedy and provide valuable insights for improving fire safety protocols across China.
It is important to note that while the initial reports suggest a link between the fire and electric bikes, the official investigation is ongoing and the final cause has not yet been confirmed.