Devastating Fire Claims 12 Lives in Southern China Residential Building Blaze

A fire at a four-story residential building in Shantou, southern China, killed 12 people on Tuesday, according to China's official Xinhua news agency. The incident highlights ongoing fire safety concerns in China's densely populated urban areas, where older residential buildings often lack modern safety systems.

The fire broke out at around 1:20 PM GMT on Tuesday and took firefighters approximately 40 minutes to bring under control. Local authorities have launched an investigation to determine what caused the blaze.

Shantou, located in Guangdong province, is home to over 5 million people and has experienced rapid urban development in recent decades. Like many Chinese cities, it faces challenges with aging infrastructure and fire safety compliance in older residential buildings.

China has been working to strengthen fire safety regulations following several deadly incidents in recent years. But enforcement remains inconsistent, particularly in smaller cities and older buildings where safety upgrades can be costly for property owners.

The investigation will likely focus on whether the building met current safety standards and if proper fire prevention measures were in place. Such incidents often prompt local safety inspections and renewed calls for stricter enforcement of building codes.