Compensation plan announced for Shanghai deadly high-rise fire

Xinhua, June 11, 2011

The compensation plan for the deadly high-rise fire in Shanghai was announced Friday, and officials urged the bolstering of safety and fire-fighting methods for high-rise buildings, local authorities said.

According the compensation plan, victims can chose one of the three options, the repair of their original home, a new home, or a lump sum of money, according to an official of the Jing'an District government.

The value of the damaged homes will be estimated according to market prices, and the compensation will be provided by the Jing'an District Construction Company, according to the plan.

The Shanghai municipal government on Friday emphasized the necessity of greater fire prevention and firing-fighting capabilities and ample emergency-egress procedures for high-rise buildings.

The facilities needed to put out fires on tall buildings will be increased while fire-fighting management will be enhanced, said Zhou Bo, deputy secretary-general of the municipal government.

The municipal government announced Tuesday that it had sacked two officials, including Zhang Renliang, head of Jing'an District, and Xu Sunqing, deputy head of the district. Vice Mayor Shen Jun received a serious demerit.

A total of 26 people have been found criminally guilty in connection with the deadly fire and have been sent to judiciary institutions for punishment. Another 28, including Vice Mayor Shen Jun, received administrative penalties or demerits in line with discipline of the Communist Party of China.

The blaze in November 2010 gutted the 28-story apartment building at Jiaozhou Road of Jing'an District, which was under renovation, after sparks from welding work ignited nylon netting and scaffolding. Of the 58 killed in the fire, 22 were men, including one Japanese citizen.