Thirteen children aged between 3 and 4 were killed in a kindergarten fire early Tuesday in Nanchang, capital of central China's Jiangxi.
The fire broke out at about 0:15 (Beijing time) this morning in a children’s dorm of the Jiangxi Radio and TV Arts Kindergarten. Seven boys and six girls were dead, largely due to suffocation, sources said.
The cause of fire was attributed to the burning of mosquito- repellent incense which ignited bedding, according to the police.
Four children in the same dorm escaped the fire, with one running away by himself and three being rushed out by the rescue people, the sources said.
The governor and other provincial officials have arrived at the scene for rescue operation. An investigation team has been formed to find those responsible for the fire.
(Xinhua 06/05/2001)