香格里拉火灾 或因用电不慎

Authorities say a masive fire in the ancient town of Dukezong in Shangri-la county was caused by careless use of electricity by a hotel operator.

Local officials say preliminary results show that the fire at the Ruyi Hotel began when a curtain ignited. Police are now questioning the hotel operator.

The fire broke out at around half past one on Saturday morning. More than a hundred buildings were destroyed by the blaze, and at least two thousand people evacuated. Initial calculations put the damage at more than one hundred million yuan.

Dukezong dates back to the Tang Dynasty, some 1,400 years ago, and it’s one of the most popular tourist attractions in China. Most of the structures there are made of wood, making it easy for a fire to spread.