At least 22 individuals lost their lives, and three others sustained injuries in a fire that engulfed a restaurant in Liaoyang, located in northeast China’s Liaoning province, according to local authorities.
The blaze started at approximately 12:25 p.m. local time on April 29, 2025, during a busy lunch period, trapping numerous patrons inside the multi-story establishment.
Footage from the scene captures large flames erupting from the windows and doors of the two- or three-story building, with dense black smoke rising into the air. Onlookers moved away from the vicinity while some observed as the fire overtook the structure.
Emergency services quickly responded to the incident, deploying over 20 fire trucks and 85 firefighters to combat the blaze in the residential area. The manager of the restaurant has been detained as an investigation into the fire’s cause is underway.
Preliminary investigations suggest that the fire might have been caused by discarded cigarettes or electrical faults, rather than a gas explosion or intentional act. Reports indicate that strong winds and flammable decorations aided the rapid spread of the fire.
Chinese President Xi Jinping issued a directive post-incident, describing it as “a deeply sobering lesson” and highlighting the need for swift treatment of the injured. He urged authorities to “determine the cause of the fire, and hold those responsible accountable,” stressing the importance of preventing major accidents during the upcoming May Day holiday.
Safety experts have noted that the absence of an emergency exit in the restaurant could have contributed to the high fatality rate, as many patrons found themselves trapped with no escape route.
Liaoyang is situated in Liaoning province, a part of China’s industrial rust belt. This former manufacturing hub has faced economic difficulties over recent decades.
Industrial accidents are common in China, often due to safety issues, inadequate infrastructure maintenance, and lax regulation enforcement. Traditional Chinese cooking methods, which involve large open flames for wok cooking or “hot pot” dishes, can increase fire risks in restaurant environments.
This event follows several other deadly fires in China. In July 2024, a fire at a shopping mall in Zigong, Sichuan province, resulted in 16 fatalities. Firefighters rescued around 75 people from the 14-story commercial building, which included a department store, offices, restaurants, and a movie theater. Initial investigations indicated that construction activities triggered that incident.
In January, another fire claimed 39 lives in a commercial building in Jiangxi province after unauthorized welding work in the basement ignited combustible materials. The following month, 15 people died when a fire that began in an attached parking lot containing electric bikes spread to a residential building in Nanjing.
In April, a fire erupted in a nursing home in the northern province of Hebei, resulting in the deaths of 20 elderly residents.
“The number of fires in public places such as hotels and restaurants has risen to 40 percent,” officials noted in a recent safety report, attributing many incidents to malfunctioning electrical or gas lines and general carelessness. Statistics indicate a 19 percent increase in fire-related deaths in China during the first several months of this year compared to the same timeframe in the previous year.
The Ministry of Emergency Management has called on provincial officials to enhance safety measures nationwide and learn from these incidents to prevent future tragedies. President Xi emphasized the need for local governments to improve emergency response plans and intensify safety inspections before the upcoming holiday, when increased travel and commercial activity typically occur.
China has historically faced various incidents, including fires, stampedes, and transport accidents, during major holiday periods, when businesses and transportation systems are at peak capacity.
Investigators are examining the site to determine the precise cause of the Liaoyang restaurant fire. As authorities complete their investigation and implement measures to prevent similar events, further updates are anticipated.
