The old auditorium of Beijing Language and Culture University was in the process of being dismantled but instead it caught on fire this morning when sparks from electrical welding equipment went airborne and landed on the building. The fire was put out by noon; there have been no casualties.

Before the incident the university had planned to construct a four-floored dining hall at the base of the demolished auditorium. The auditorium was slated to be relocated to the previous location of the former dining hall.

A witness, surnamed Wang, and a university employee, said that the main cause of the fire was due to the fact that the old auditorium had been constructed with non-fire proofed material. It could be seen that the roof of the old auditorium was constructed out of pitched felt.

Wang said that the ceiling of the old auditorium also used materials made of plastic and foam combinations; both are highly combustible.

The fire raged until approximately noon. It has been damped and five fire engines have left the scene but a few firemen remained to further check the accident area to prevent any further hazards.

(China.org.cn by the staff reporter Wang Zhiyong, November 23, 2007)