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Source: People's Republic of China in Russian – People's Republic of China in Russian –
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Source: People's Republic of China – State Council News
KUNMING, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) — An investigation into the deadly fire that broke out at a motorcycle parts store in Kunming, southwest China's Yunnan Province, on April 12, 2025, killing eight people, has revealed that the fire was caused by an illegally modified electric bicycle battery during indoor charging. Evidence and materials uncovered during the investigation have been transferred to the relevant department for prosecution of 25 people.
According to the findings released by the Yunnan Provincial Fire and Rescue Service, the fire was caused by a short circuit in a modified lithium-ion battery of an electric bicycle that was being charged indoors. The flames quickly engulfed the vehicle itself and spread to nearby e-bikes, spare parts, a sofa, and other flammable materials.
The investigation also revealed that the store had been illegally converted into a space that included both a commercial area and a residential area on the second floor. Furthermore, the first and second floors lacked fire barriers and independent evacuation systems, which resulted in high-temperature smoke quickly rising and filling the stairwell, severely limiting the time for evacuation of those inside.
There were nine people in the store at the time of the incident. The sole survivor, who is also the store owner and was charging the e-bike inside, was placed under house arrest by Kunming police on suspicion of committing a criminal act of negligence resulting in a fire.
The report calls on government agencies at all levels to tighten supervision of product quality and practices related to modification, introduce stricter controls on the sales approval and quality of electric bicycles, improve safety management at parking lots, and further strengthen public awareness and education on fire safety. -0-
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