Fire Accidents Claimed 3,201 Lives Last YearAccording to reports from the Ministry of Public Security, a total of 188,600 fire accidents (excluding prairie fires in forests and grasslands) broke out in the country last year, leaving 3,021 dead and another 4,404 injured, and the direct property losses topped 1.52 billion yuan.Although the number and losses of fire accidents decreased respectively as compared to the previous year, casualties however went up by a large margin to reach 141.6 percent. Some 61 conflagrations broke out in China last year, claiming 529 lives with 191 injured, incurring a direct loss of 200.139 million yuan. The specification of fire accidents last year showed frequent occurrences in highly crowded recreational centers with four big fire licking up in ballrooms, video-watching arcades and other public amusement places. Fire accidents also saw an increase in markets, shopping centers and privately-owned enterprises. Major reasons for the fire accidents indicate a less legal knowledge and neglect in fire control, low ability in fighting against fire by the whole society, disparity in the construction of public fire-combating facilities in cities. So far some 40 cities in the country have not mapped out relevant fire control plans. By PD Online staff member Li Yan |
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