Some buildings of the 720-year-old Huguo Temple in Beijing have been destroyed in a fire which broke out early Sunday morning.

The fire occurred around 2 am at a western side hall of the temple, which is located in the Xicheng District of the capital and has been under the key protection of the city since 1984.

The hall was occupied by a clothing factory some eight years ago and the fire was caused by electric sparks from a transformer in the factory.

Fire fighters managed to extinguish the blaze by about 4 am but the hall was damaged with only the main structure remaining. No casualties were reported.

The Huguo Temple, which was built during the Yuan Dynasty more than 600 years ago, is now a Beijing tourist attraction. There are some 10 buildings remaining at the site, besides the principal hall, the Jingang Hall.

Further investigation into the cause of the fire is still underway.

(Chinabroadcast.cn June 21, 2004)