Imagethief

Reminds me of the old movie Tower Inferno!

My first thought: I really hope no-one was injured or killed.

If fireworks were involved, I'd say restrictions on the size of fireworks available to the general public are almost a certainty. No more of those almost-professional-grade rockets: back to bangs and pops, small rockets and "roman" candles.

I find it odd that the building was engulfed in flames so quickly -- by stray fireworks. It's brand new, and I am pretty sure it was built with the latest fire prevention technology/material.  What fueled the fire?  It seems either there was seriouis fire code violations or there was serious design flaws with the building or there was sabotage.  It doesn't make any sense for a new, modern building to be so vulnerable to stray firecrackers. Anyway, thank goodness it doesn't appear people were seriously hurt. It could have been much worse.  

Eeek, sorry for the triple post -- my mouse must have gone crazy.

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Just wondering could this an obtuse way of pulling out of a venture when there are so many low occupancy hotels in Beijing at the moment ...... rather drastic. Like the other readers, a most modern complex with no auto fire extinguishing equipment? Mind you they probably had it all installed but not in operation .... a few lessons to be learned here, hoping there is no loss of life. But last night in Beijing was like being in downtown Beiruit so the authroities need to clamp down on the craziness and irresponsible pyromaniacs.

I wonder how many people were privately disappointed when they found out it wasn't the China Censorship Television building on fire. Ooh, have I said the unsayable? Tut tut.

Glad to see i'm not the only one who instantly thought Insurance Fraud.  This building wouldn't have been my pick for 'most likely to combust' during the holidays.... there are thousands of other prime candidates out there that appear to be unscathed.  

Not to say it wasn't fireworks, or faulty wiring, or similar, but it all seems just a little odd to me.

Hmm...seems a tad suspicious to me.  Apparently the Park Hyatt hotel in Guomao is at zero percent occupancy.  The Mandarin Oriental is in practically the same location and targeting the same market.  Doesn't it seem a bit strange the building was burnt down by fireworks when all the other buildings in Beijing are still standing?  It all seems very convenient.  I am sure they have terrific insurance.

Calm down, people, especially those talking conspiracy.

The New Zealand Fire Service has been saying for years that modern houses burn much faster than old ones, and its precisely because of all the newfangled materials (note to manufacturers of fire-retardant materials: back-burning is good for bushfires, disastrous in house fires).

Secondly, the building was nearing completion, so I think it safe to assume there was a lot of combustible material inside and that it was lying around in places easily reached by the fire.

Next week: Draconian anti-fireworks regs all over BJ into immediate effect.

Next January: Regs loosened so whining BJers can enjoy Spring Festival and continue the Harmonious Society.

Repeat: As often as necessary...

Given that they have now admitted that unauthorized fireworks were to blame then there will be zero prospect of any insurance payout. That will put a dent in CCTV's coffers.

fire...fire...fire, help help help !!!!

Imagethief arrived in China on June 6th, 2004, a naive and wide-eyed whelp of just 36. The last five