5 detained over south China market fire

GUANGZHOU - Five people allegedly responsible for a fatal market fire in the southern city of Shenzhen, Guangdong province on December 11 have been detained, local authorities said on Tuesday.

The fire broke out in a wholesale agricultural market in Guangming New District at about 1:30 am, leaving 16 people dead, including an infant girl, and five more injured.

The fire was contained in about two hours after engulfing an area of 1,290 square meters at the Rongjian Farmers' Market.

An investigation showed that a short circuit on a power cord of an air cooler at a refrigerating chamber in the market caused the fire, according to the provincial administration of work safety.

Stalls that had been set up illegally, a lack of fire prevention measures, and poor fire safety supervision also contributed to the fire, according to the investigation.