Five-star hotel on fire in northeast China city

SHENYANG, Feb.3, (Xinhua) -- Fire gutted Thursday a five-star hotel in Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province, and no casualties had been found, local officials said.The fire broke out at 0:13 a.m. at Tower B, an apartment building of the Dynasty Wanxin building complex, and the flames quickly spread to the adjacent Tower A, which is largely a five-star hotel.All the 50-odd people in the hotel were evacuated. No casualties are found.The fire was effectively controlled, Shenyang Municipal Public Security Bureau officials told Xinhua at 4:35 a.m..Police said the fire was triggered by fireworks, which accidentally sparked off the external wall of the buildings. Further investigation into the cause and losses of the fire is still underway.Fire engines, whose water guns could jet water only 50 meters high, were helpless at the fire which flamed on the top of Tower A, 219 meters high.Power supply in the hotel was not cut off, which was said to keep the automatic spray facilities in operation in the building.Personnel from adjacent five-star Sheraton Shenyang Lido Hotel were evacuated, and residents around the Dynasty Wanxin building mainly stayed at home.Top leaders of the province and the city, including Chen Haibo, mayor of Shenyang, arrived at the site soon afterwards to direct efforts to quell the fire.The Dynasty Wanxin building complex, located in the bustling Qingnian Street of Heping District, comprises of three towers. The fire engulfed Tower A and B, with Tower C intact.

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