Building fire in north China's Taiyuan kills at least 14, 25 hospitalized

A fire broke out in a building in downtown Taiyuan, in north China, at 4:59 p.m. local time (0859 GMT) on Sunday, according to state media. Flames were extinguished roughly two hours later, and authorities said rescue operations concluded by 8:30 p.m. that day, with 38 people transported to hospital.

Five deaths were confirmed by late Sunday night. By Monday afternoon, the death toll had risen to at least 14, state media reported, citing authorities. A total of 25 people remained in hospital, nine of them with serious injuries, Xinhua news agency reported.

The cause of the fire is under investigation, state media said. No further details on the origin of the blaze or the condition of the building were immediately provided.

Emergency responders, including firefighters, were deployed to the scene, and the injured were taken to local hospitals for treatment. Authorities have not released the identities of the victims or additional information about those hospitalized.

Taiyuan is the capital of Shanxi province in northern China. The incident drew attention to fire safety in urban buildings in the region, though officials have not commented on possible causes.

According to Mehr News, citing Xinhua, the fire was reported at 4:59 p.m. local time on Sunday, was put out about two hours later, and left at least 14 people dead with 25 still hospitalized as of Monday afternoon, nine of them in serious condition.