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Arrests follow China tower fire Arrests follow China tower fire
(about 1 hour later)
Beijing police have detained 12 people in connection with the fire that destroyed an iconic tower block and killed a fireman. Twelve people have been detained in connection with a fire that partly destroyed the unfinished headquarters of China's state broadcaster.
Xinhua state news agency confirmed one of those held is an official from the state China Central Television (CCTV). One of those being held is an official from China Central Television (CCTV), Xinhua state news agency confirmed.
CCTV has apologised for setting off illegal, over-sized firecrackers that are blamed for sparking the blaze. CCTV has apologised for setting off powerful illegal firecrackers that are blamed for sparking the Beijing blaze.
The tragedy has angered some Chinese, for appearing to show how powerful bodies can bypass normal rules. A firefighter died after inhaling toxic fumes and several people were injured in the fire late on Monday.
Among those detained was Xu Wei, 50, who is in charge of construction at China Central Television's (CCTV) new site. The tragedy has angered some Chinese, for appearing to show how high-profile groups can bypass normal rules.
Officials from CCTV were using the new building - that housed the near-completed Mandarin Oriental hotel and a culture centre - as the backdrop for an illegal pyrotechnics display.
Party that went horribly wrong One or more fireworks hit the tower, which was still under construction so the sprinkler system was not switched on. The 33-storey block may now have to be scrapped.
Among those detained over the incident was Xu Wei, 50, who was in charge of construction at CCTV's new site.
The 12 are being held "on suspicion of creating a disturbance with dangerous materials", an official statement said.The 12 are being held "on suspicion of creating a disturbance with dangerous materials", an official statement said.
Citing police, Xinhua news agency reported separately that three other CCTV employees and eight people the station hired to set off the fireworks were also under detention.Citing police, Xinhua news agency reported separately that three other CCTV employees and eight people the station hired to set off the fireworks were also under detention.
class="" href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7884275.stm">Party that went horribly wrong Authorities said previously the blaze was caused by fireworks that CCTV had illegally set off that were far more powerful than the public were allowed to buy. Authorities said previously the blaze was caused by fireworks that CCTV had illegally set off that were far more powerful than the public was allowed to buy.
It also ignored police orders for them not to be set off. It also ignored police orders against setting off the fireworks as part of Chinese lunar new year celebrations.
The fire engulfed a 30-storey cultural centre that was to house the Mandarin Oriental, as well as a television studio and an IT centre.
A firefighter died after inhaling toxic fumes and six people were injured in the fire.
The hotel, which is under construction, was empty when the fire broke out.
The 44-storey building is located just a few hundred metres from CCTV's iconic headquarters - designed as part of the city's Olympic makeover.
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Fire takes hold of the building in Beijing