At least 22 people were killed and three others injured in a restaurant fire in northeastern China, according to local officials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The blaze broke out around 12:25 p.m. local time on Monday at a restaurant in the Baita District of Liaoyang, a city in Liaoning Province, according to a statement from China’s Emergency Management Bureau. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Emergency responders from the fire department, police, health, and emergency services arrived at the scene shortly after the fire started. The flames were extinguished by approximately 12:43 p.m.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Authorities said 22 people were killed in the incident. Three others were injured and transported to a hospital, where they remain in stable condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to state-run Xinhua News Agency, the person in charge of the restaurant has been taken into police custody. The cause of the fire is under investigation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The restaurant was a two-story brick-and-concrete structure with an area of approximately 2,800 square feet (260 square meters), authorities said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Footage of the fire showed intense flames engulfing both floors of the building, while images taken afterward revealed extensive damage, with little remaining beyond the bare structure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Eyewitnesses told reporters from Jimu News that the fire spread quickly due to strong winds at the time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n