Wednesday 11 February 2009
Fire fighters blame CCTV for fatal blaze as broadcaster apologises
However, the apparent attempt by top CCTV management to distance themselves from the accident could backfire because the officials failed to explain why there was a fireworks display at the site and why four high-resolution cameras were recording the display, if no other CCTV departments were involved.
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Fire fighters blame CCTV for fatal blaze as broadcaster apologises
Raymond Li in Beijing
11 February 2009
China Central Television (CCTV) was responsible for the raging blaze at its controversial new site on Monday night, which left one fireman dead and seven people injured, Beijing fire fighting authorities said.
The new CCTV complex, which cost more than 5 billion yuan (HK$5.68 billion) and includes an avant-garde office building frequently described as a pair of underpants, has been noted for its extravagance and strange design.
CCTV apologised for the fire yesterday.
Fire fighter Zhang Jianyong from the northeastern province of Liaoning died in a Beijing hospital early yesterday after inhaling toxic fumes. He had been due to celebrate his 30th birthday in two weeks.
Beijing Fire Control Bureau deputy chief Luo Yuan said yesterday that CCTV had hired staff from a fireworks company to light several hundred large festive fireworks in an open space outside the nearly completed building, which was to house the 241-room luxury Mandarin Oriental hotel, Xinhua reported.
He said the fireworks were much more powerful than those available at roadside stalls during the Lunar New Year and needed approval from the municipal government before being set off in downtown areas. Police tried to intervene when the fireworks were set off, but CCTV ignored their warnings, Mr. Luo said.
“We have videos of the scene and remnants of the fireworks, which will serve as strong evidence in the investigation,” he said.
It took more than 600 fire fighters working nearly six hours to extinguish the fire, which started at 8.27pm on Monday.
The blaze charred 80 per cent of the building’s surface but did not damage CCTV’s landmark leaning towers just 200 metres away.
In a statement issued yesterday, the state broadcaster apologised for the fire, which caused hundreds of millions of yuan in losses. “The fire has caused heavy losses to state property, and CCTV is burdened with guilt and expresses its sincere apology for the inconvenience to the public, and for the traffic jams,” the statement said.
The Mandarin Oriental’s Beijing office issued a statement yesterday, saying it was too early to assess the full extent of the damage.
“Mandarin Oriental has signed a long-term contract to manage the hotel and has no ownership interest in the building,” it said.
Although CCTV was quick to blame low-level officials in charge of the construction of the elaborate buildings, it conceded that CCTV site officials had hired people to light the fireworks, without seeking approval.
CCTV sources said management had sent out an internal news alert to clarify that the CCTV construction office - not its management - flouted the fireworks display rules.
The sources said the first scapegoat was likely to be Xu Wei, head of the CCTV site construction office and the broadcaster’s deputy general engineer, saying he was in “big trouble”.
However, the apparent attempt by top CCTV management to distance themselves from the accident could backfire because the officials failed to explain why there was a fireworks display at the site and why four high-resolution cameras were recording the display, if no other CCTV departments were involved.
The people who ignited the fireworks were being questioned by police, Mr. Luo said.
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