At least 42 die in Shanghai fire

Flames break out in a business center high-rise; renovation materials and scaffolding may be at fault

Published November 15, 2010 4:35PM (EST)

China's official Xinhua News Agency says the death toll of a fire that engulfed a high-rise apartment building in China's business center of Shanghai has risen to 42.

The fire occurred on Monday at a building under renovation. Previous reports put the toll at at least eight dead and more than 90 injured.

A witness told Xinhua that building materials had caught fire, and the blaze spread to scaffolding and then to the 28-story building itself, which houses a number of retired teachers.

The government says more than 80 fire trucks were called to battle the fire, which appeared to have been put out after about six hours.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

SHANGHAI (AP) -- China's official Xinhua News Agency says the death toll of a fire that engulfed a high-rise apartment building in China's business center of Shanghai has risen to 42.

The fire occurred on Monday at a building under renovation. Previous reports put the toll at at least eight dead and more than 90 injured.

A witness told Xinhua that building materials had caught fire, and the blaze spread to scaffolding and then to the 28-story building itself, which houses a number of retired teachers.

The government says more than 80 fire trucks were called to battle the fire, which appeared to have been put out after about six hours.


By Associated Press

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