Shanghai apartment fire
On November 15th 2010 in Shanghai China a fire erupted apparently within construction materials and scaffolding surrounding an occupied 30story apartment building under renovation. The flames quickly spread to the building itself and soon engulfed the entire structure. Workers and residents scattered down scaffolding or climbed to the roof attempting to escape the smoke and flames. Unfortunately 58 people were unable to escape losing their lives and 70 more were injured in the blaze which was contained within four hours. A number of individuals are now in custody including some unlicensed welders. The Shanghai government has also taken responsibility for the fire and lax safety oversight and China has just ordered a nationwide overhaul of fire-control measures. Yesterday was the seventh day after the fire an important day in Chinas traditional mourning process.
Firefighters try to extinguish a fire at a building in Shanghai China on November 15 2010.
In this photo released by Chinas Xinhua news agency spectators watch an apartment building on fire in the downtown area of Shanghai on Monday Nov. 15 2010.
In this citizen journalism photo acquired by the Associated Press people watch as an apartment building burns in the downtown area of Shanghai on Monday Nov. 15 2010. (AP Photo/Karl Loo) .
A person waits for rescue in the scaffolding of a burning apartment building in Shanghai on Monday Nov. 15 2010.
People from another building watch firefighters extinguish a fire on an apartment building in downtown Shanghai on Monday Nov. 15 2010
A huge fire engulfs a high-rise in Shanghai after construction scaffolding surrounding the building initially caught fire spreading to the building itself on November 15 2010.
People watch a burning residential building in Shanghai on November 15 2010
People watch a burning residential building in Shanghai on November 15 2010
A man takes a photo of a burning building in Shanghai on November 15 2010.
Fire rages inside a 30-story Shanghai apartment building as fighters work to extinguish it on November 15 2010.
Rescue workers carry a victim out of a burning building in Shanghai November 15 2010.
Firefighters work into the night extinguishing a fire at a building in Shanghai on November 15 2010.
A resident watches a burning building in Shanghai November 15 2010
Chinese firefighters work inside a high-rise apartment building that was just engulfed in flames in Shanghai on November 15 2010.
In this picture taken on November 15 2010 medical personnel transport a victims body after a massive fire engulfed a high-rise building in Shanghai China.
An elderly man looks out from the apartment building which was damaged by fire in the downtown area of Shanghai on Monday Nov. 15 2010.
Residents hang onto scaffolding as they wait for help after a fire broke out at their apartment building in the downtown area of Shanghai
People gather to watch an apartment building that was destroyed by fire while flowers and wreaths are placed around in the downtown area of Shanghai
A woman weeps as she looks at the entrance of a burnt apartment block in Shanghai November 18 2010.
Chinese people bring flowers to place at a makeshift memorial at the scene of a huge fire in Shanghai on November 18 2010.