SHANGHAI: At least eight people died as fire engulfed a Shanghai high-rise building Monday, sending panicked residents stumbling over each other as they fled and spreading thick smoke over China’s commercial hub.
The 28-storey building in one of the most densely-populated districts of the city of nearly 20 million people was under renovation when the blaze broke out around lunchtime. Spectacular bright orange flames could be seen enveloping the scaffolding and spreading to the building as the fire raged, gutting much of the structure.
The smoke could be seen from several kilometres (miles) away. Survivor Li Xiuyun, 61, said she fled down the steps of the building with her husband, son and a granddaughter from their home on the 16th floor until they met firefighters who took them to safety.
“The smoke was very strong and the glass from the windows was scalding,” she told AFP at the Jingan District Hospital, adding that she cut her feet on shattered glass when fleeing.
