At least 22 people were killed and three others injured after a devastating fire broke out Tuesday afternoon at a restaurant in Liaoyang, a city in northeast China's Liaoning province, according to state media reports.
The blaze erupted around 12:25 p.m. local time, engulfing a two- to three-story building in thick black smoke and flames. Video footage from the scene showed terrified bystanders fleeing as towering flames burst from the restaurant's windows and doors. Emergency services rushed to the site, deploying 22 fire trucks and 85 firefighters to battle the inferno.
Authorities announced the fire was extinguished hours later, with search and rescue operations completed. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. A statement released by the provincial radio and television bureau pledged a thorough probe and "severe punishment" for anyone found responsible.
President Xi Jinping described the disaster as "a deeply sobering lesson" and called for immediate medical treatment for the injured, according to the official Xinhua news agency. Xi also instructed local officials to quickly determine the cause of the blaze and ensure accountability.
22 people died tragically in a massive fire at a restaurant in Liaoyang city,#Liaoning province,China.
The incident took place at noon at the "Chuniang Restaurant" located in Baita District. #ChinaFire #BRICS #XiJinping #中国 pic.twitter.com/5ZaMcf1H50 — Sanjeev (@wing4destiny) April 29, 2025
Hao Peng, secretary of Liaoning's provincial Communist Party committee, confirmed the evacuation of survivors and completion of on-site rescue work.
The fire is the latest in a series of deadly incidents highlighting safety challenges across China. Just weeks ago, 20 people died in a fire at a nursing home in Hebei province. Last year, a gas leak at a restaurant in Hebei killed two people and injured 26, while a separate explosion in Shenzhen killed one person.
Frequent industrial accidents in China are often blamed on lax enforcement of safety standards, poorly maintained infrastructure, and illegal storage of hazardous materials. Critics argue that corruption and negligence continue to undermine regulatory efforts, especially in older industrial regions like Liaoyang, part of China's so-called rust belt.
In last August, a major fire caused by a short circuit engulfed a hotel rooftop in southern China, though no casualties were reported. In another case, a 14-story shopping center blaze in Sichuan province killed at least 16 people, despite the rescue of 75 occupants by emergency responders.
Liaoyang, once an industrial powerhouse, has struggled with economic decline and population outflows, challenges that have intensified scrutiny over public safety management in the region.
