The deadly fire that killed 19 people in a suburban Beijing apartment complex earlier this month was found to be caused by faulty electrical wiring, not arson, authorities announced Monday.
The deadly blaze occurred on November 18 in a three-story apartment building in Xinjian Village in Daxing District. Nineteen perished and eight others were injured.
READ MORE: Fire Kills 19 in Beijing Apartment Building
Authorities detained seven apartment managers, seven electricity workers and four construction workers. According to the police, the workers did not have the proper qualifications.
One of the suspects, surnamed Fan, built the 20,000-square-meter apartment complex between 2002 and 2006. However, the building did not receive proper approval from authorities. Earlier this year, Fan began building a refrigeration facility in the basement and hired unqualified workers to help with the wiring. According to authorities, the fire broke out in the refrigeration unit.
The investigation is ongoing.
In response to the deadly fire, Cai Qi, secretary of the Communist Party, has called for 40 days of citywide safety inspections and the demolition of more illegal structures.
READ MORE: Beijing Demolishes Illegal Apartment Buildings Following Deadly Blaze
"Lessons of the fire is extremely grave. The city must be on high alert. We must take actions and protect people's lives and safeguard the safety and stability of the capital," he said.
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