Xinhua News Agency, Urumqi, November 25th (Reporters Zhang Yu, Sun Zhennan) In the middle of the night on November 25th, the Information Office of the People's Government of Urumqi, Xinjiang held a press conference to introduce the "11.24" fire accident and respond to whether the community where the incident occurred was Low-risk communities, whether the escape routes of the residential buildings involved are tied up with iron wires and other social concerns.
The mayor of Urumqi, Maimaitimin Kade, on behalf of the municipal party committee and the government, expressed deep condolences to the victims, extended greetings to the families of the victims, the wounded and their relatives, and expressed apology to the people of the city.
Hamit Maimatiming, head of Tianshan District, Urumqi City, introduced that after the fire broke out, the medical department organized the strongest medical resources to carry out treatment, and determined a diagnosis and treatment plan for each wounded.
The local government departments have done a good job in the aftermath of evacuation and resettlement, comfort and assistance, and psychological counseling.
As to whether there is an issue on the Internet about whether the escape routes of the residential buildings involved in the incident were tied up with iron wires, Hamiti Maimaiti Yiming said that after repeated verification with the street, community where the community is located, and on-site fire rescue personnel, there is no problem of iron wires in the community. The doors of all households and units in the building are not closed.
The pictures of floor doors bound with iron wires posted on the Internet are embezzled and maliciously spliced.
Regarding the question of netizens questioning that "the community where the incident occurred is a low-risk area and you can go downstairs for activities", Hamidi Maimatiming said that from November 12, 2022, the community where the incident occurred will be reduced from a high-risk area to a low-risk area. Subsequently, after a comprehensive assessment by the Tianshan District Epidemic Prevention and Control Headquarters, since November 20, the residents of the community have implemented a staggered peak order to go out of the house and go downstairs in an orderly manner to carry out activities in the community.
Li Wensheng, head of the Urumqi Fire Rescue Detachment, said that the fire had the characteristics of large fire load, rapid spread, many trapped people, and difficulty in evacuation and search and rescue. The fire department mobilized 23 fire trucks and 109 commanders and fighters to participate in the disposal.
"The entrance and exit of the community where the incident occurred is narrow, and there are few parking spaces. There are a large number of private cars parked on both sides of the road, and it is difficult for large fire trucks to enter the community to carry out operations. While carrying out search and rescue and fire fighting in the building, organize relevant departments to conduct inspections of the private driveway in front of the building. Relocate, remove the daily ground piles, and fully open the fire fighting operations on the north and south sides of the building."
Maimaitimin Kade said that the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and Urumqi City have set up a joint investigation team and are investigating the cause and responsibility of the fire in depth. Those who neglect their duties will be held accountable in accordance with laws and regulations, and there will be no tolerance.
At 19:49 on November 24, a fire broke out in a high-rise residential building in Jixiangyuan Community, Tianshan District, Urumqi City, killing 10 people and injuring 9 others.
Based on the on-site investigation and the statements of the parties concerned, the relevant departments determined that the fire broke out in the southeast corner of the bedroom on the east side of Room 1502. The cause of the fire was preliminarily determined to be a fire on the plug board in the family bedroom, and the accident is still under further investigation.