China national anthem composer Nie Er’s home on fire in Shanghai

The former home of Nie Er (1912-1935), composer of China’s national anthem March of the Volunteers, is pictured ablaze in Shanghai yesterday. Nine fire engines (but luckily not this guy) rushed to the scene on Gongping Lu, Hongkou District after a fire broke out shortly after 11am. An investigation found that a short circuit may have caused the blaze.


[The blaze broke out around 11am. Photo by Xinhua]

[The fire from above. Photo posted by Weibo account @圆润还是我圆润]

The old house on Lane 185, 86 Gongping Lu, was Nie Er's first residence when he fled to Shanghai in 1937. In January 2004, it was announced a Hongkou Heritage Conservation Units listed building, and was opened to the public in 2011.

[The building was announced a Hongkou Heritage Conservation Units listed building In January 2004. Photo by Xinhua]

[Nine fire engines rushed to the scene. Photo by Xinhua]

[An investigation found that a short circuit may have caused the blaze. Photo posted by Weibo account @先奎的微博]

The song will always live on though...