Arrests follow Mandarin Oriental Beijing blaze
BEIJING – Twelve people have been detained in connection with a fire that partly destroyed the unfinished headquarters of China’s state broadcaster and the near-completed Mandarin Oriental hotel.
One of those being held is an official from China Central Television (CCTV), Xinhua state news agency confirmed.
CCTV has apologised for setting off powerful illegal firecrackers that are blamed for sparking the Beijing blaze.
A firefighter died after inhaling toxic fumes and several people were injured in the fire late on Monday.
The BBC reported that the tragedy has angered some Chinese, for appearing to show how high-profile groups can bypass normal rules.
Officials from CCTV were using the new building – that housed the Mandarin Oriental hotel and a culture centre – as the backdrop for an illegal pyrotechnics display.
One or more fireworks hit the tower, which was still under construction so the sprinkler system was not switched on. The 33-storey block may now have to be scrapped.
The 12 are being held “on suspicion of creating a disturbance with dangerous materials”, an official statement said.
An initial statement from the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group said that the property currently employs 60 staff, who all work in pre-opening offices near to the hotel, which were empty at the time of the fire.
Mandarin Oriental has signed a long-term contract to manage the hotel and has no ownership interest in the building.
Ian Jarrett
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