Restaurant Inferno Claims 22 Lives, 3 Critically Injured in Tragic Blaze

Beijing(The Uttam Hindu):  At least 22 people were killed and three others injured in a massive fire at a restaurant in northeastern China's Liaoning province on Tuesday, Chinese state broadcaster CCTV reported. The incident happened at a restaurant located in a residential area of ​​Liaoyang city, Liaoning province, at 12:25 pm local time (0425 GMT). The flames spread quickly, causing major damage.

According to the state news agency Xinhua, Chinese President Xi Jinping has described the fire as a 'serious lesson'. He has urged the relevant authorities to immediately find out the cause of the fire, ensure the best treatment for the injured and punish those responsible under the law.

This incident has happened at a time when there are concerns about safety measures in China. Last year also, at least two major explosions occurred in residential areas of the country due to gas leakage. In March, 2 people were killed and 26 others were injured in an explosion in a restaurant in China's northern province of Hebei, while in September one person lost his life in an explosion in a high-rise building in southern Shenzhen. Following the Liaoyang restaurant fire, local authorities are busy carrying out rescue operations and providing assistance to casualties. The police and relevant departments are conducting a thorough investigation into the cause of the fire.