Ancient town catches fire in Guizhou

The charred remains of residential buildings are what's left after a fire in ancient Yongxing in Meitan county, Southwest China's Guizhou province, Aug 9, 2015. [Photo/Chinanews.com]

More than 100 people lost their homes Sunday when two residential buildings in an ancient town in Southwest China's Guizhou province went up in flames.

The early morning fire broke out in Yongxing ancient town in Meitan county, local authorities said. It was caused by burning oil at a store.

Firefighters and local residents soon arrived to battle the fire, which was brought under control at 3:40 am and extinguished at 6 am.

Yongxing was one of the four important ancient commercial towns in Guizhou. It served as a trading port for commodity exchanges among people in northern Guizhou and neighboring provinces.

According to preliminary statistics, two wooden residential buildings containing 20 households were destroyed, affecting the lives of 117 people.

There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage to the town's historical relics.