Ancient Pingyao City Neglects Fire Prevention Efforts

Pingyao, an ancient city in north China's Shanxi Province, has neglected fire preventive facilities while developing its tourism industry.

The city, built some 2,000 years ago during the Zhou Dynasty (1066 BC--221 BC), is a combination of well-preserved ancient streets, government offices, markets, stores and residences. However, most building materials have low fireproof value.

With a total area of 2.25 sq. kilometers, the city has 3,797 houses, with narrow streets, which have no sufficient access for the fire brigade in case of a fire.

Also, all the ancient-style stores along the streets are divided by chipboards with outdated electrical wires and plugs fastened on.

The local fire brigade bureau requires a hydrant every 120 meters along the streets in the commercial area, which means 67 fire hydrants should be built. However, so far only 11 have been planned.

Pingyao, a good model of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), was listed as one of the world heritage sites by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization on December 3, 1997.

People's Daily Online --- http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/