More than 1,400 people in China died as a result of fires in 2007, the Ministry of Public Security (MPS) said on Tuesday.

Last year, 159,000 fires broke out in China, killing more than 1,400 people and injuring 800 others, down 30.7 percent, 11.6 percent and 40.8 percent respectively, according to the MPS.

Improper use of electrical appliances was the major reason for the fires, accounting for 28.8 percent of the total, the MPS said.

The MPS said it had improved public awareness of fire prevention and stepped up inspections of fire-fighting equipment in business and public buildings.

(Xinhua News Agency January 15, 2008)