Beijing fire fighters recorded no blazes within 200 meters of Olympic venues and facilities during the Games -- despite the spectacular fireworks displays at the opening and closing ceremonies.

Fire control bureau deputy director Li Jin said on Tuesday that from Aug. 8 to 24, the city had 152 small fires with no deaths or injuries reported. The number was 48.3 percent lower than the same period last year.

He attributed the drop to the hard work of the city's fire fighters and almost 1 million volunteers who patrolled streets for fire risks.

The city's 6,700 fire fighters maintained 24-hour monitoring of all venues, contract hotels, designated hospitals and other Olympic-related sites. They were put on the highest alert from Aug. 7.

"The experience of the Olympics will help to improve our service," said Luo Yuan, the bureau's spokesman.

(Xinhua News Agency August 27, 2008)