Fifty-nine people lost their lives in 10,360 fires during the Spring Festival holiday in China, according to the fire control bureau of the Ministry of Public Security on Wednesday.

Another 19 people were injured in the flames, it said.

According to the report, the direct property loss caused by the fires was estimated 23.80 million yuan (3.30 million U.S. dollars).

The bureau said nearly 23,000 fire fighters took part in the battle against the fires and saved 7,741 people.

(Xinhua News Agency February 14, 2008)