Oops! Lunar New Year Fireworks Spark Blaze at Unfinished Beijing Luxury Hotel

Locations in this article:  Beijing, China

Fiery sparkleSpectators watching Lunar New Year celebrations in eastern Beijing Monday were witness to a more horrifying type of spectacle after fireworks unintentionally sparked a fire at luxury hotel that was nearing completion.

The 44-story Mandarin Oriental had been under construction for more than six years when it went up in flames after sparks from a nearby burst of fireworks rained down on it.

The fire began on the upper floors and engulfed a large portion of the hotel within just 20 minutes.

The hotel was part of a multi-million dollar new television complex that includes the adjacent China Central Television landmark headquarters tower, though that building was not damaged. In addition to 241 rooms, the hotel included a visitors center, a theater and exhibition spaces.

The fire began around 9:00 p.m. amid the lantern festival celebrations which mark the 15th and final day of the Chinese New Year period. Authorities normally prohibit the use of fireworks in the downtown area, but the rules are lifted every year during the new year holiday.

The hotel was originally scheduled to open last year during the Olympic games, but  delays pushed the opening to later this year. It would have been Mandarin Oriental’s flagship property in China.

Related links: USA Today, Bloomberg, CNN, International Herald-Tribune

By Karen Elowitt for PeterGreenberg.com.

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