At least 22 people were killed and three others injured in a devastating fire that engulfed a restaurant in Liaoyang, northeast China, according to Chinese authorities.
The blaze broke out around 12:25 pm local time during a busy lunch hour on April 29, trapping numerous diners inside the multi-story building.
Dramatic footage from the scene shows enormous flames bursting from the windows and doors of the two- or three-story structure, with thick black smoke billowing into the sky. Terrified onlookers fled the area while others watched in horror as the inferno consumed the building.
Emergency services responded rapidly to the lunchtime disaster, dispatching more than 20 fire trucks and 85 firefighters to battle the blaze in the residential neighborhood. The person in charge of the restaurant has been detained as authorities investigate the cause of the fire.
According to preliminary investigations, the fire was likely caused by discarded cigarettes or electrical faults, rather than a gas explosion or arson. Strong winds and flammable decorations reportedly contributed to the rapid spread of flames throughout the structure.
Chinese President Xi Jinping issued a directive following the incident, describing it as “a deeply sobering lesson” and calling for quick treatment of the injured. He urged officials to “determine the cause of the fire, and hold those responsible accountable,” emphasizing the importance of preventing major accidents during the upcoming May Day holiday period.
Safety experts noted that the lack of an emergency exit in the restaurant may have contributed to the high death toll, as many diners became trapped inside with no means of escape.
Liaoyang, located in Liaoning province, is part of China’s industrial rust belt, a former manufacturing powerhouse region that has experienced economic challenges in recent decades.
Industrial accidents occur frequently in China, often due to safety issues, poorly maintained infrastructure, and lax enforcement of regulations. Traditional Chinese cooking methods, which may involve large open flames for wok cooking or “hot pot” dishes where meat and vegetables are stewed over open flames, can increase fire risks in restaurant settings.
This incident follows several other deadly fires across China. In July 2024, a fire at a shopping mall in Zigong, Sichuan province, killed 16 people. Firefighters rescued approximately 75 people from the 14-story commercial building, which housed a department store, offices, restaurants, and a movie theater. Preliminary investigations determined that construction operations triggered that blaze.
In January, another fire claimed 39 lives in a commercial building in Jiangxi province after unauthorized welding work in the basement ignited combustible materials. The following month, 15 people perished when a fire that started in an attached parking lot containing electric bikes spread to a residential building in Nanjing.
In April, a fire broke out in a nursing home located in the northern province of Hebei, claiming the lives of 20 elderly residents.
“The number of fires in public places such as hotels and restaurants has risen to 40 percent,” noted officials in a recent safety report, attributing many incidents to malfunctioning electrical or gas lines and general carelessness. Statistics indicate a 19 percent increase in fire fatalities in China during the first several months of this year compared to the same period in the previous year.
The Ministry of Emergency Management has urged provincial officials to strengthen safety measures nationwide and learn lessons from these incidents to prevent future tragedies. President Xi called on local governments to improve emergency response plans and intensify safety inspections ahead of the May Day holiday, when increased travel and commercial activity typically occur.
China has historically experienced various incidents including fires, stampedes, and transport accidents during major holiday periods, when businesses and transportation systems operate at peak capacity.
In response to the Liaoyang restaurant fire, investigators continue examining the scene to determine the exact cause. Additional updates are expected as authorities complete their investigation and implement measures to prevent similar incidents.
