Nearly 223,000 fires occurred in China last year, leaving 1,517
people dead and 1,418 injured, the Ministry of Public Security
announced on Monday.
"The number of fires decreased by 5.6 percent from the previous
year, the death toll down by 39.3 percent and the number of injured
dropping by 43.5 percent," said a spokesman for the ministry's fire
control bureau.
Fires caused 784 million yuan (US$98 million) in losses, down
42.6 percent over 2005, he said.
Fire control in rural area was further strengthened, with nearly
74,000 fires, about one third of the total, occurred in the
countryside last year, which saw a big drop over 2005, according to
the bureau.
The ministry attached more importance last year to boosting the
public's awareness of fire control and self-protection by promoting
fire education in schools, communities, villages and companies.
(Xinhua News Agency January 2, 2007)