- Joined
- Oct 7, 2008
- Messages
- 61,301
- Location
- Bulgaria
A fire has destroyed a high-rise building in Shanghai, killing at least 42 people, state media report.
At least 90 others were injured as the blaze tore through a 28-storey block of flats in the Chinese city, Xinhua said.
The building was being renovated when the fire broke out. Chinese TV showed people clinging to scaffolding surrounding the building as they waited to be rescued from the flames.
Firefighters battled for several hours to bring the blaze under control.
It remains unclear what caused the fire, but witnesses say construction materials caught fire and the flames quickly climbed the scaffolding surrounding the building.
More than 80 fire engines were called to battle the fire, officials say, and the the blaze was reportedly brought under control after six hours.
Survivors of the fire have been searching hospitals for missing friends and relatives.
One man who lived in the building said: "All of my relatives and friends have been driving to all the different hospitals! As a family member, what can I do in this situation? How can I calm down?
"I have only one thing to say - I ask the Communist Party to come and help quickly."
The building was reportedly home to a number of retired teachers.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-11759276
