A devastating fire at a nursing home in Longhua County, Hebei province, has claimed the lives of 20 people, Chinese state media reported on Wednesday. The blaze erupted late Tuesday night, roughly 180 kilometres northeast of Beijing.
Authorities confirmed the death toll by early Wednesday, while other residents were swiftly moved to nearby hospitals for treatment and observation. Details on injuries and the conditions of survivors have yet to be released.
Also Read: 8th-Grade Student Opens Fire on Female Teacher
The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Deadly fires in China have often been linked to inadequate safety regulations and poor enforcement of building codes.
This latest tragedy follows a string of similar incidents, including a vegetable market fire in January that killed eight people in Zhangjiakou and a December construction site fire in Rongcheng that left nine dead.
