GUANGZHOU, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- The Guangdong Provincial Government recently approved an investigation report into a fatal fire that killed 12 people, with those responsible referred to judicial authorities.
The fire broke out on Dec. 9, 2025, in a self-built building housing a hardware and electrical appliance store on the first floor in Chaonan District, Shantou City. Spreading across 150 square meters, the blaze resulted in the deaths of 12 people.
The direct cause was a lit mosquito repellent stick on the first floor of the building that ignited nearby combustibles, causing lithium-ion batteries stored indoors to explode and triggering the deflagration of other hazardous materials, including polyurethane foam sealant, butane canisters for portable stoves, spray paint and rust remover.
The investigation pointed to a number of problems exposed by the accident, including poor safety management at the store involved, lax government oversight of unpermitted construction, weak routine inspections, ineffective fire safety campaigns and lax quality review of a third-party fire hazard assessment.
Guangdong Building Fire Facilities Inspection Center Co., Ltd. bore responsibility for serious failures in its assessment work and seriously distorted report.
The company and related responsible personnel have been transferred to judicial authorities for handling in accordance with the law. Clues and materials concerning public officials' performance of duties discovered during the investigation have been referred to disciplinary and supervisory authorities.
