NANJING, Nov. 27 (Xinhua) -- Ten people have been subjected to criminal compulsory measures after being held responsible for the major residential fire in the eastern Chinese city of Nanjing that resulted in 15 fatalities in late February, said local authorities on Wednesday.

The deadly fire, broke out in the city's Yuhuatai District on Feb. 23, also injured 44 people and caused a total economic loss of over 33 million yuan (about 4.58 million U.S. dollars).

According to the latest investigation result by the Jiangsu Provincial Fire and Rescue Corps, the fire was caused by the thermal overheating of an oversized lithium-ion battery on an illegally modified electric bicycle.

The ten people, including the owner of the electric bicycle and individuals operating illegally in the production and sale of the lithium-ion battery, have been placed under criminal compulsory measures by public security authorities on suspicion of criminal offenses, said the provincial fire and rescue corps.

Government departments have punished seven enterprises involved in the accident in accordance with laws and regulations. Officials from local government departments, who were found to have dereliction of duty in the accident, have also been held accountable. Enditem

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