The Nanfang Home

The Nanfang / Blog

Fire

New Xinjiang Train Station Destroyed By Massive Blaze Just Before Official Opening

Posted: 08/22/2014 2:28 pm

xinjiang railway station fire kumulA train station in Xinjiang that cost RMB 160 million to build has caught on fire just weeks before it was to be finished. The main hall of the Kumul train station caught on fire at around 5:19pm on August 21, reports Sina News, sending plumes of smoke into the sky.

The fire was brought under control by firefighters by 6pm. No injuries were reported.

xinjiang railway station fire kumul

The fire was apparently an accident. Construction workers accidentally ignited a layer of insulation in the walls, which spread quickly. It grew to about 600 square meters in size. The cost of the fire has yet to be determined.

xinjiang railway station fire kumul

Built by the Chinese Railroad No. 12 Department, the Kumul Railway Station was to be the second-largest train station in Xinjiang. Set to be completed by the end of this month, the station was to become operational by the end of the year by providing passengers with high-speed rail service.

Construction on the Kumul Railway Station began in 2012 with the main structure completed in October 2013. The facility featured a total space of 99.97 million square meters and cost RMB 160 million.

The development of transportation infrastructure in Xinjiang is indicative of the area’s double-digit growth rate, but hasn’t alleviated the area’s growing ethnic tensions between Han Chinese and the Uighur minority. Transportation hubs such as train stations have been targeted in bomb and knife attacks that have killed dozens of people.

Reza Hasmath, an expert on Chinese politics at the University of Oxford, has said  “Infrastructure-based development has not been successful in improving meaningful interactions between Hans and Uighurs.”

Here is a video of the fire:

Photos: People’s Daily

Haohao
Tagged:

Major Fire Breaks Out at Sinopec Facility in Gansu Province

Posted: 08/4/2014 12:47 pm

lanzhou sinopec fire gansuA huge plume of smoke was seen from miles away in the capital of Gansu Province as a major fire broke out at a urban oil refinery this morning. The fire, at the Sinopec petrochemical facility in Lanzhou, broke at 8:39 am, according to CCTV News. So far there are no reports of any injuries or deaths.

lanzhou sinopec fire gansu petrochemical

The magnitude of the blaze is reflected in the city’s massive response to contain it. The city has dispatched 11 firefighting stations and one major firefighting team to the scene, encompassing a total of 33 vehicles and 193 firefighting personnel.

This Sinopec refinery is capable of distilling 300,000 tons of fuel a year.lanzhou sinopec fire gansulanzhou sinopec fire gansulanzhou sinopec fire gansu

lanzhou sinopec fire gansulanzhou sinopec fire gansulanzhou sinopec fire gansulanzhou sinopec fire gansulanzhou sinopec fire gansulanzhou sinopec fire gansu petrochemical

UPDATE 12:53 pm August 4: This post has been updated with more photographs.

Photos: Sina Guangdong, Sina News Video (2), Sina Sichuan

Haohao
Tagged:

Photos: 75 Dead in Jiangsu Factory Explosion [GRAPHIC, UPDATED]

Posted: 08/2/2014 5:52 pm

kunshan factory explosion jiangsu car parts GM death injured fire[Caution: this post contains content that may be upsetting to some readers]:

A explosion at a factory in Jiangsu has killed at least 75 workers and injured another 185, reports People’s Daily.

The explosion took place this morning at 7:37 in the developmental zone of Kunshan, Jiangsu Province at the Kunshan Zhongrong Metal Production Company.

At the time of the explosion, there were over 200 people reportedly working at the factory.

kunshan factory explosion jiangsu car parts GM death injured fire

The explosion occurred in the polishing area of the workshop where preliminary findings suspect that dust is the cause of the explosion.

According to the official website of the Kunshan Zhongrong Metal Production Company, the company has a total of 450 workers who are tasked with electroplating alloy wheel hubs.

The company is said to be a supplier for US auto manufacturer General Motors. Its location consists of 50,000 square meters of factory space, and was established in 1998.

kunshan factory explosion jiangsu car parts GM death injured fire

The force of the explosion was powerful enough to cause serious damage to the factory. With one exterior wall collapsed, the blast has punctured two holes through the middle of the workshop wall while other areas are so severely damaged that only steel reinforcement bars remain. In a 50 meter diameter of the blast, shattered glass can be seen everywhere.

Xinhua reports that Kunshan government representatives have stated two company personnel have been detained due to the explosion.

The cause of the explosion still under investigation.

Five burn experts from Shanghai Ruijin Hospital have gone to Kunshan to lend support and expertise.

More pictures from the explosion are shown below:

kunshan factory explosion jiangsu car parts GM death injured firekunshan factory explosion jiangsu car parts GM death injured firekunshan factory explosion jiangsu car parts GM death injured firekunshan factory explosion jiangsu car parts GM death injured firekunshan factory explosion jiangsu car parts GM death injured firekunshan factory explosion jiangsu car parts GM death injured firekunshan factory explosion jiangsu car parts GM death injured firekunshan factory explosion jiangsu car parts GM death injured firekunshan factory explosion jiangsu car parts GM death injured firekunshan factory explosion jiangsu car parts GM death injured firekunshan factory explosion jiangsu car parts GM death injured firekunshan factory explosion jiangsu car parts GM death injured firekunshan factory explosion jiangsu car parts GM death injured firekunshan factory explosion jiangsu car parts GM death injured firekunshan factory explosion jiangsu car parts GM death injured firekunshan factory explosion jiangsu car parts GM death injured firekunshan factory explosion jiangsu car parts GM death injured fire

UPDATE 1, 9pm August 2: This report has been updated with a new death toll and number of injured.

UPDATE 2, 10:30 am August 4: This report has been updated with a new death toll.

UPDATE 3, 12:11 pm August 4: This report has been updated with a new death toll and number of injured.

Photos: People’s Daily (2), Xinhua Net (2), Caijing, Sina (2), CCTV News

Haohao
Tagged:

Graphic Video of Guangzhou Bus Explosion Shows Commuters Running for Their Lives

Posted: 07/16/2014 11:50 am

guangzhou bus fire explosion #301[This story contains material that some readers may find disturbing.]

Two people are dead and 32 were injured when an explosive device went off in a bus, engulfing it in flames, yesterday evening in Guangzhou, reports China Daily. The fire took place on the #301 Guangzhou bus bound for Panyu at South Dunhe bus stop on Guangzhou Boulevard in Haizhu District at approximately 7:40pm.

READ: Bus Explodes in Guangzhou [Photos]

The fire ignited so quickly that eyewitnesses say victims could not get off the bus in time. The Guangzhou Public Security Bureau said the entire bus was engulfed in flames within five minutes, causing excessive damage to the rear of the bus. The fire was eventually extinguished at 8:03pm.

guangzhou bus fire explosion #301

Police say the fire was caused by a passenger who had brought a prohibited item on board the bus. One eyewitness told Guangzhou Daily he saw four people run out of the bus after the explosion, three of whom were on fire. Other eyewitness said two to three people on fire were rolling around on the ground trying to extinguish the flames.

Workers from a nearby furniture factory arrived and tried to put out the fire with fire extinguishers, but could not get close enough due to the heat.

guangzhou bus fire explosion #301

A Weibo user named Johnny-Tang posted this account :

I was there at the #301 Guangzhou bus incident, and yet I don’t know what to say; all I can say is that it was too terrifying. I escaped with my life. At the time, I had gotten onboard and swiped my card when a man suddenly yelled out, “Fire! Somebody is setting a fire!” I couldn’t see clearly, but I followed everyone in getting off the bus. Just one meter away after leaving, I heard an explosion behind me. Looking behind me, I saw that the bus was in a great fire, some people exploded through the window. It’s too horrifying, I am not going to take the bus again.

Here is video taken from a surveillance camera at the bus stop that shows the explosion before it happens, and immediately afterwards:

At the beginning of the video, the #301 bus has arrived at the bus stop and passengers are getting off the bus at a normal pace. At 0:23, passengers are seen getting off in a hurry, while other commuters aren’t aware of any problems.

At 0:37, an explosion happens, temporarily knocking out the surveillance camera. People are seen running away, while a few victims are seen on the ground covered in flames.

At the end of the video, a man is seen trying to approach the bus. He paces back and forth, looking at the fire numerous times while a victim writhes on the ground beside him.

Here are more pictures from the fire:

guangzhou bus fire explosion #301guangzhou bus fire explosion #301guangzhou bus fire explosion #301guangzhou bus fire explosion #301guangzhou bus fire explosion #301guangzhou bus fire explosion #301guangzhou bus fire explosion #301guangzhou bus fire explosion #301guangzhou bus fire explosion #301guangzhou bus fire explosion #301

UPDATE 1, 3:33pm July 16: Guangzhou police have made an arrest in conjunction with the fire, reports Guangzhou Daily.

Today at 11:47am, Guangzhou police arrested suspect Ou X Sheng, male, 25, and from Hengnan County, Hubei Province.

UPDATE 2, 9:51 July 17: Guangzhou bus fire suspect Ou has confessed that he set the fire as a way to vent his anger regarding his recent gambling losses, reports China Daily.

Related:

Haohao
Tagged:

Video Shows Hangzhou Arsonist Setting Fire to Crowded Bus

Posted: 07/7/2014 11:46 am

hangzhou arson public bus fire

[This report contains images which may be disturbing to some readers.]

An arson suspect has been identified in the Hangzhou public bus fire that injured 32 people on July 5, reports CCTV News.

READ: Arson Suspected in Hangzhou Bus Fire

Hangzhou police have released video footage from the surveillance camera on the #7 public bus which shows the suspect setting the fire. The suspect is a male in his 30s with short hair, slightly overweight, and in a light colored T-shirt with a backpack.

hangzhou arson public bus fire

Caixin reported the suspect boarded the bus at 4:09pm and sat in the reserved priority seating in front of the rear doors. Nearly a full hour later at 5:03pm, the suspect poured a flammable liquid from his backpack onto the floor of the bus, and then ignited it with a lighter.

Eyewitnesses, such as Xiao Cheng from Jiangxi Province, confirmed that this is the guy who started the fire.

RELATED: Six Dead as Tour Bus Flips in Chongqing

The suspect also apparently blocked the doorways, according to one witness:

The front and rear doors of the bus were opened. The fire was strongest at the back. There was a man inside the bus that tried to block the rear doors. He didn’t want to come out, but he kept crying and yelling and asking to be saved.

hangzhou arson public bus fireThe suspect was rescued from the bus and is being treated at a local hospital, though his identity has not yet been confirmed. He received burns to 100% of his body and is listed in serious condition. From the video, the suspect can be seen sitting down amid the fire while other passengers tried to escape.

Six people are now reported to be in serious condition, up from five people reported on Saturday. The following surveillance video shows the suspect setting the fire at 0:57:

Photos: CCTV News

Haohao
Tagged:

Fire on Beijing’s Metro Line 13 Stops Train Service

Posted: 07/7/2014 9:55 am

beijing metro line 13 fire xizhimen sound proofing warehouseA fire along Beijing Metro’s Line 13 disrupted subway service last night (July 7), CCTV reported. The fire broke out on the tracks enclosed with sound-proofing material at 7:48pm between Xizhimen and Dazhongsi Station, with smoke visible from from many kilometers away.

Train operations on Line 13 from Xizhimen to Zhichun Road Station in both directions were suspended, however, trains running from Zhichun Road Station to Dongzhimen Station remained in service.

beijing metro line 13 fire xizhimen sound proofing warehouse

The People’s Daily reports the fire was caused by the unauthorized use of a storehouse by a peddler. This person had incorporated the sound-proofing material of the subway train into his storehouse, which lead to the fire spreading above.

No injuries have been reported.

beijing metro line 13 fire xizhimen sound proofing warehousebeijing metro line 13 fire xizhimen sound proofing warehousebeijing metro line 13 fire xizhimen sound proofing warehousebeijing metro line 13 fire xizhimen sound proofing warehousebeijing metro line 13 fire xizhimen sound proofing warehouse

Photos: CCTV, People’s Daily Online

Haohao
Tagged:

[Graphic Video] Arson Suspected in Hangzhou Bus Fire

Posted: 07/6/2014 11:14 am

hangzhou bus fire arson[Warning: this post contains graphic images which may be upsetting to some readers]

A fire suspected to be arson onboard a public bus in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province has injured 32 people, five of which are in serious condition, reported Caijing.

The fire broke out on the #7 public bus at around 5pm at the intersection of Qingchun Road and Dongpo Road in an area next to the city’s famous West Lake.

The Hangzhou Public Security Bureau said there were 80 passengers on board the bus.

hangzhou bus fire arson

Miss Cheng, 16, sustained burn injuries from the fire. Cheng said many people on board were arguing with a middle-aged man wearing a backpack right before the fire started. At least two people have already been noted for their bravery in trying to rescue people on board.

The first is Mr Li, who owns the Qiantang magazine kiosk right in front of the burning bus. When he saw smoke and flames, Li took a chair and tried to smash the bus windows to free the passengers trapped inside, and then helped people get down. Li also tried to use a fire extinguisher.

hangzhou bus fire arson

The second is Mr Tang, who was passing by when the incident occurred. He took the lock from his electric scooter and tried to use it to break the bus windows in order to help passengers escape the burning vehicle.

Reports describe the engine and the chasis of the bus as not sustaining any damage from the fire, suggesting the fire didn’t originate from within the bus’ mechanics. Instead, damage to the bus is said to be most extensive in the middle of the bus.

Police have announced they have identified an arson suspect based upon eyewitness accounts, evidence and surveillance video.

The following eyewitness video shows a scene of chaos as several people rush to try to free the people trapped in the burning bus by using such objects as a sidewalk sign:

hangzhou bus fire arsonhangzhou bus fire arsonhangzhou bus fire arsonhangzhou bus fire arsonhangzhou bus fire arsonhangzhou bus fire arsonhangzhou bus fire arsonhangzhou bus fire arsonhangzhou bus fire arsonhangzhou bus fire arsonhangzhou bus fire arsonhangzhou bus fire arsonhangzhou bus fire arsonhangzhou bus fire arsonhangzhou bus fire arsonhangzhou bus fire arson

Photos: China News, People’s Daily, China Daily, Caijing (2), Guangzhou Live

Haohao
Tagged:

[Graphic Video] Wife Douses Mistress With Gasoline, Sets Her on Fire

Posted: 06/30/2014 5:53 pm

 

kunming mistress immolation affair[This story contains material that may offend some readers]

A graphic video has surfaced from Yunnan Province showing a mistress being doused in flammable liquid and being set on fire by the man’s wife.

The incident happened yesterday (June 29) at around 7pm in Kunming. Mr Liu, the manager of a nearby tea shop, said a woman dressed in black had come up behind a woman dressed in red and said, ”You seduced my husband!”

The woman in black, later identified as Shi, then threw hot chili peppers into the woman’s face (who has not been identified). Shi then poured gasoline on the woman and set her on fire, as depicted in the video below. It was recorded by the dashboard camera of a nearby car.

kunming mistress immolation affair

There was no fire extinguisher nearby, and when people tried pouring water on the woman the fire only grew in size. After one or two minutes the woman finally lost consciousness.

Shi then drank several mouthfuls from a brown-colored bottle which witnesses said smelled like pesticide, and began cutting herself. She was taken to hospital, and had this to say about the woman she set on fire:

She is my husband’s mistress. She forced me to have a divorce (from him), so I poured gasoline on her.

There’s no significance for my daughter to live anymore, I don’t want to live/I don’t want her to live anymore.

kunming mistress immolation affairMiss Zhang, a friend of Shi, said Shi had been complaining a mistress was disrupting her family’s plans to earn money for her daughter’s university tuition. Shi’s husband was apparently a devoted husband until the mistress appeared on the scene.

Shi is currently in serious condition and is under constant supervision. Shi’s husband, reportedly a bus driver named Ma, has not answered questions by reporters. The mistress died from her injuries.

Warning: the following video is terrible and horrifying.

[h/t @niubi]

Photos: 163, QQ

Haohao
Tagged:

Setting Yourself On Fire? It’s a Form of Traditional Chinese Medicine

Posted: 06/11/2014 11:39 am

fire therapy chinese medicine acupuncture

It might be called therapy, but it sure doesn’t look relaxing.

The photo above, of a man’s crotch on fire, is one of several that have surfaced online depicting “fire therapy”, a kind of Chinese medicine. But even though the treatment originates here, even Chinese netizens are aghast at the photos that have been posted online.

fire therapy chinese medicine acupuncture

Wenzhou Sina News was the first to publish images of a person with two feet sticking out from a pile of towels that were set on fire. Even after it was explained as a form of therapy, many netizens continued to voice their shock and bemusement on Weibo:

Cnqdmght_逆向思维：
Is this regulation service?

蜜又园：
And I was thinking, ‘Why is he setting his penis on fire?’ [laughingface.emo]

鬼敬主厨：
Scared

智膳帮多元休闲餐厅:
Sir, how well would you like your meat cooked?

客观人士也：
Oh my goodness! Seeing this picture fill my computer screen just made me feel ill! It looks like that man is enjoying himself, the crotch of his pants have caught fire. Who isn’t scared when looking at this?

“Fire therapy” is an old Chinese medicine technique that uses the same principles as baguan (fire cupping technique) and acupuncture..

fire therapy chinese medicine acupunctureAs reported by Guangming Network, the key to this practice is the “fire rope”, which is made out of some 20 different types of Chinese herbal grasses. The procedure begins by placing the fire rope on the patient’s body, which is covered by a translucent wrap to guard against the heat. Placed on top of the wrap are two wet towels. Alcohol is then poured on top and set alight. The procedure must be performed three times.

fire therapy chinese medicine acupuncture

fire therapy chinese medicine acupuncturefire therapy chinese medicine acupuncture

Fire therapy professionals stress there are important safety procedures to follow: first, the fire must occur at the correct acupuncture point to be effective; secondly, there must be a wet towel held by an attendant right next to the open fire; third, contact must be maintained with the client at all times; and finally, the fire must be extinguished immediately if the patient believes it’s too hot.

One “fire therapy” victim patient described the treatment this way:

It’s a warm and comfortable feeling. I feel a warmth soaking into my body.

For such an established Chinese procedure, fire therapy doesn’t seem to be familiar to the younger Weibo generation. One expressed her surprise when she saw it:

fire therapy chinese medicine acupuncture

越悦-：
Shocking scene from a beauty parlor: A person burned alive—apparently, this is a technique in Chinese medicine. Has anyone seen this before?

While foreigners have taken to acupuncture and other traditional Chinese procedures, it may take a while before fire therapy really catches on outside of China.

Photos: Yangcheng Evening Report, Wenzhou Sina News, Weibo

Haohao
Tagged:

Shunde Fire Sends Up Plume of Black Smoke Next to Residential Area

Posted: 05/13/2014 10:30 am

television fire shunde rongguiA pile of abandoned televisions and monitors caught fire in a field in the southern district of Ronggui, Shunde, at approximately 9am, sending a tall plume of dark smoke cascading across the sky.

The fire took place in a lot that appears to be part of a park that sits adjacent to a residential area, with multi-story houses and an apartment building located nearby.

The televisions were first abandoned in this large garden two weeks ago.

The cause of the fire and whether any injuries have occurred is currently unknown.television fire shunde rongguitelevision fire shunde rongguitelevision fire shunde ronggui

[h/t Travis]

Photos: Travis

Haohao
Tagged:
Popular Stories
AROUND THE WEB
Keep in Touch

What's happening this week in Shenzhen, Dongguan and Guangzhou? Sign up to be notified when we launch the This Week @ Nanfang newsletter.

sign up for our newsletter

Nanfang TV