Fireworks caused CCTV hotel fire

Fireworks caused the blaze that led to?a death and six injuries at a hotel at the China Central Television (CCTV) new headquarters in Beijing Monday night, fire authorities said Tuesday.

CCTV hired staff from a fireworks company to ignite several hundred large festive firecrackers in an open space outside the nearly-completed Mandarin Oriental Hotel, which is part of the iconic CCTV tower complex, said Luo Yuan, spokesman and deputy chief of the Beijing Fire Control Bureau.

Fire broke out at the 30-storey building at 8:27 pm Monday and was put out at 2 am.

A 30-year-old fireman died from respiratory tract injuries at hospital early Tuesday. Beijing Fire Control Bureau said seven others were injured, including six firemen and one construction worker.