A devastating fire tore through a nursing home in Longhua County, Hebei province, on Tuesday night, killing at least 20 people, Chinese state media confirmed on Wednesday. The facility, located about 180 kilometers northeast of Beijing, was home to elderly residents, many of whom were asleep when the blaze broke out.
Survivors were swiftly moved to nearby hospitals for observation and treatment, though officials have yet to release the number of injured or the conditions of those rescued. Emergency response teams worked overnight to contain the fire and evacuate the facility.
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Authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the incident, which remains unknown at this time. Tragic fires such as this are sadly frequent in China, often linked to poor enforcement of fire safety regulations and outdated infrastructure.
This latest incident follows a series of fatal blazes across the country. Just in January, a fire at a vegetable market in Zhangjiakou killed eight, while nine perished in a construction site fire in Rongcheng last December.
The government is expected to announce further details as the investigation progresses and calls grow for tighter safety regulations in care facilities.
