The devastating fire that destroyed the Mandarin Oriental hotel in Beijing and killed a fireman on Monday night was caused by a fireworks display, said the city’s fire authorities. The blaze, which also injured six other firefighters, set alight what was to be the Mandarin Oriental’s flagship property. The hotel was scheduled to open this summer.
The 241-room hotel was part of the landmark Chinese Central Television (CCTV) Building complex, which was undamaged and is scheduled to open in 2010. Architect Rem Koolhaas, part of the firm OMA, designed the complex, which cost more than US$730 million. The firm described the fire as “a tragedy.”
Luo Yan, deputy chief of the Beijing Fire Control Bureau, said at a press conference that the CCTV complex hired a fireworks company to mark Lantern Festival, the traditional end of the Chinese New Year festivities. The people who ignited the fireworks are being questioned by police. Although fireworks are allowed during the New Year holiday, their use is prohibited in buildings or on roofs or balconies.
In a statement posted on its Web site, CCTV said: "Investigations by the Beijing Public Fire Department showed that the fire was caused because senior leaders of the new CCTV headquarters construction project office took it on themselves to hire people to set off fireworks, which were unapproved and broke regulations.”
Mandarin Oriental said that the 64 people it employed during its preopening phase were unhurt. A spokesperson said: “Mandarin Oriental has signed a long-term contract to manage the hotel and has no ownership interest in the building. Our local management team are doing all they can to help the authorities to ensure the safety and security of everyone involved.”
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