Update: Three videos added, scroll down.
A NOT-YET-OPEN 44-STORY LUXURY HOTEL is burning from the first to the top floor today. The fire started around 9:30 pm Monday evening China time (8:30 am Eastern) in the Mandarin Oriental hotel that was due to open later this year. After the flames were first spotted, it was but 20 minutes until the entire building was alight.
Reuters
The streets of central Beijing were filled with merry-makers celebrating the last day of the annual spring festival. The entire sky was filled with fireworks all evening, but it is not known if that was a factor in the fire which is still burning. One spectator, Li Jian said he saw smoke arising from the 44-story hotel’s roof shortly after a huge burst of fireworks showered it with sparks, though it was not clear if they started the fire.
“Smoke came out for a little while but then it just started burning,” Li said.
The 241-room hotel is part of China Central Television’s new headquarters complex and is located right next to the CCT headquarters building. Some early reports say that the TV building has also become involved in the fire, but that has not been confirmed.
Associated Press
Beijing usually restricts the use of fireworks in the downtown area, but waives the rules each year during the Lunar New Year holiday. Monday, the final day of the exemption period, marked the first full moon since the Lunar New Year, and massive fireworks barrages exploded between buildings and in open spaces throughout the city.
At the time of this writing, the fire brigade has the fire under control and has knocked the bulk of it down, but areas are still burning.
This story will be updated later when more information becomes available.
Reuters has an early report HERE.
Reuters
