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Police detain 20 over fatal bar fire in E China

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-02-02 20:24

FUZHOU -- Police have detained 20 suspects following a bar fire that killed 15 people Saturday in east China's Fujian Province, the local government said.

Friends and relatives watch over a victim of the bar fire in Fuzhou General Hospital Sunday February 1st, 2009. Police have detained 20 suspects following a bar fire that killed 15 people Saturday in east China's Fujian Province, the local government said. [China Daily]

Among those detained were some of the revelers who set off the fireworks in a bar during a birthday celebration and the owners and managers of the bar, according to the government of Changle City, where the accident took place.

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The suspects could face lawsuits by the local prosecutor's office.

Of the 24 injured in the accident, one remained in critical condition and 23 others were stable, doctors said.

As of Sunday, the government had closed 112 public venues including karaoke bars, dance clubs and recreation centers to carry out safety inspections.

Staff of the local firefighting teams and work safety regulators were inspecting recreation centers, hotels, restaurants, shopping malls, markets, hospitals, schools, kindergartens, and nursing houses. The inspections cover firefighting equipment and procedures, according to a circular jointly issued by the provincial administrations of public security and work safety Monday.

Inspectors will also look at stage settings and fire-proof materials, electric wiring and evacuation facilities.

Public venues found with substandard firefighting equipment or whose employees lack fire-control training will have to suspend operations until these problems are rectified, according to the circular.

The circular did not state when the safety overhaul will end.

Changle is a county-level city administered by Fuzhou, the provincial capital of Fujian Province.

A fire broke out in a Latin-style bar and restaurant in Changle City at about 11:55 p.m., Saturday after 10 young men and women at a birthday party set off fireworks on their table.