Department store fire kills 8 in southwest China, rescue ongoing

This photo taken with a mobile phone shows rescue vehicles parking near the site of a department store fire in Zigong City, southwest China's Sichuan Province, July 18, 2024. (Xinhua)

CHENGDU, July 17 (Xinhua) -- Eight people have been killed after a fire broke out on Wednesday evening at a high-rise department store in Zigong City, southwest China's Sichuan Province.

The fire in the 14-story building, located in a high-tech zone in the city, was reported at approximately 6 p.m., and there was a significant amount of thick smoke at the scene, according to the local fire and rescue headquarters.

As of 10:30 p.m., 75 people who were trapped inside the building had been evacuated. The rescue operation is ongoing. ■

This photo taken with a mobile phone shows rescuers working at the site of a department store fire in Zigong City, southwest China's Sichuan Province, July 17, 2024. (Xinhua)