Overview

• A fire broke out at 12:25 pm on April 29 in a two-story restaurant in Liaoyang City, killing 22 people and injuring three, who are now in stable condition.
• Emergency services dispatched 22 firetrucks and 85 firefighters to extinguish the blaze, which was brought under control by early afternoon.
• The restaurant manager has been detained as authorities investigate the cause of the fire under directives from President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang.
• President Xi called the incident a 'deeply sobering lesson' and emphasized the need for swift accountability, victim support, and enhanced safety measures ahead of the May Day holiday.
• The tragedy highlights recurring fire safety issues in China, often linked to lax enforcement of building codes, cost-cutting, and corruption in public safety oversight.