Shopping mall on fire in east China, firemen rush to rescue people trapped

12-25-2010 10:26 BJT

HANGZHOU, Dec. 24 (Xinhua) -- Fire engulfed an electric appliance store in east China's Zhejiang Province Friday night, local police said.

Flames broke out at around 8:30 p.m. at a store of GOME, China's leading electric appliance franchiser, in downtown Jinhua City, Zhejiang, according to the police.

Firefighters extinguish blaze in downtown Jinhua City, east China's Zhejiang Province, Dec. 25, 2010. Fire engulfed a store of GOME, China's leading electric appliance franchiser Friday night. No casualties were reported up to 22:42. (Xinhua)

The store occupies the first three floors of a 13-storey residential building. The store was in business when the fire broke out.

"The fire has engulfed six floors of the building so far. At least 10 people from the upper residential apartments have been transferred to safer places by firefighters as of 9:50 p.m.," said a witness.

The witness said there were people trapped on the 12th floor of the building, but the exact number of the trapped remained unknown.

Ambulances are waiting on the road. So far, no casualties were reported.

Fire fighters continue rescuing people from the upper floors by stairs.