A devastating fire in Sichuan province’s Zigong city claimed the lives of sixteen people on Wednesday evening. The blaze erupted in a 14-storey department store, located in the high-tech zone of the city, and filled the surrounding area with thick smoke, according to state media.

Fire Breaks Out in Zigong

The fire started in a high-rise building in Zigong’s high-tech zone. The Xinhua news agency reported that the blaze produced thick smoke that enveloped the vicinity, making rescue efforts challenging.

Rescue Operations

Overnight rescue operations concluded at 3:00 a.m. local time (1900 GMT on Wednesday), as per state broadcaster CCTV. Rescuers worked tirelessly through the night to control the fire and search for survivors.

Investigation Underway

A preliminary investigation indicated that the fire was caused by construction operations. Authorities are continuing their investigation to determine the exact cause of the fire and to ensure such tragedies do not occur again.

With Inputs from Reuters