The blaze erupted at about 1 pm on Friday on a mountainside covered with shrubbery and dry grass, in Tangwan Village, 1 kilometer north of the county town of Fuping.

Nine people died fighting the fire, including the director of the county forestry administration and safety supervision administration and a township Party secretary.

A dozen others were injured, five critically, by 9 am on Saturday, the fire fighters said.

On hearing the fire alert, the county CPC committee and government immediately sent people from the county forestry administration, policemen and armed police to put out the fire. A total of 10,000 people fought the blaze.

Local people said strong wind aggravated the fire.

The injured are being treated at the central hospital of Hanzhong City.

A 3,000-yuan (US$361) funeral fee has been allocated for each of the victims, and local government officials will visit their families to convey their condolences.

The fire may have been started by a candle or incense.

Many Chinese pay tribute to their ancestors in spring by sweeping their tombs and burning incense and paper made to resemble money as an offering to the dead.

(Xinhua News Agency March 31, 2003)