Fire at Beijing luxury hotel put out

Firefighters prepare to put out the fire at the unfinished Mandarin Hotel in Beijing, China. One fireman was killed fighting a blaze that destroyed the 44-story luxury hotel being constructed as part of Beijing's frenetic Olympic makeover and next door to the landmark China Central Television (CCTV) headquarters (AP)

Published Tuesday, February 10, 2009

By AP

A fire that destroyed an unfinished 44-story luxury hotel, next door to a landmark television headquarters in downtown Beijing, has been put out after it lit the night sky.

Flames had surged up one side of the hotel and sent off huge plumes of black smoke, showering the ground with embers as police held back crowds of onlookers.

Xinhua news agency says the blaze, which started just after the building was showered with sparks from fireworks set off during a holiday celebration, was put out early Tuesday after burning for at least five hours.

One firefighter was killed in the fire, the state media has reported.

Seven people were injured in the fire and taken to hospital. Doctors said the injuries were not life threatening.

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