Fire Damages Beijing Temple

As if wrecking balls and neglect weren’t doing enough damage to Beijing's ancient heritage, the city's history suffered another blow on the weekend when part of the Ming Dynasty-era Nianhua Temple in Gulou, Xicheng was destroyed by fire.

Global Times reports, “The fire started at about 4 am [Saturday, December 12] in the 100 square meter hall on the temple's west side. The wooden structure was destroyed before the fire could be extinguished at around 7 am. There were no reports of deaths or injuries.”

Ninhua was built in 1851, and is located in Dashiqiao Hutong, just off Jiugulou Dajie. According to Global Times, “The Beijing Municipal Administration of Cultural Heritage issued a notice in 2005 requiring all residents and companies move out of the temple.”

The temple still holds residents and commercial operations, however, and Saturday's fire reportedly started in a space used by a wedding planning company.

Cars parked in the narrow hutong prevented fire engines gaining direct access to the site, hampering fire-fighting efforts. According to China Daily, there was another fire in the temple three years ago, but no steps were taken to improve safety standards following the earlier blaze.