China Requires Expert Guidance for Major Fires; Details to be Made Public After Investigation
China's Ministry of Emergency Management announced a new policy to dispatch experts to investigate deadly fires, aiming to prevent cover-ups and superficial probes. Investigation reports and factual details will be made public to improve nationwide safety awareness.
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- 📰 Published: April 10, 2026 at 13:28
- 🔍 Collected: April 10, 2026 at 14:00 (32 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 20, 2026 at 10:25 (236h 24m after Collected)
According to Xinhua and other Chinese media reports, China's Ministry of Emergency Management and the National Fire and Rescue Administration held a policy briefing on the 8th to interpret the "Opinions of the General Office of the State Council on Strengthening Grassroots Fire Prevention Work."
Wang Tianrui, Deputy Director of the Fire Supervision Department of the National Fire and Rescue Administration, stated that starting this year, for every fire resulting in a relatively large number of deaths, the National Fire and Rescue Administration will activate a collaborative mechanism and dispatch experts to participate in and guide the investigation. Before the investigation report of a major fire accident is reviewed locally, it must be submitted to the National Fire and Rescue Administration for examination. "This is to strictly prevent superficial investigations, perfunctory accountability, and secret warning notices; resolutely prevent turning big accidents into small ones or brushing them aside, or evading major responsibilities, thus ensuring the quality and effectiveness of the investigation."
For every fire resulting in a massive number of deaths, the Work Safety Committee of the State Council will implement supervised handling. The National Fire and Rescue Administration will dispatch an on-site supervision group and allocate national experts to participate and guide the entire process. At the same time, fire accidents of a severe nature or those causing major social impact will be subject to elevated-level investigations. After the case is closed, while releasing the fire investigation report to society, the truth and details of the fire will also be published.
In 2025, there were 58 fires in China with a relatively large number of deaths. Analysis showed that 43 of them had varying degrees of inadequate initial response, with 63.8% involving reports made more than 10 minutes after the fire started. Wang Tianrui stated that looking at the casualties from major fire accidents in recent years, many could have been avoided through scientific self-rescue and escape methods. (Editors: Chen Kai-yu / Chang Shu-ling) 1150410
Wang Tianrui, Deputy Director of the Fire Supervision Department of the National Fire and Rescue Administration, stated that starting this year, for every fire resulting in a relatively large number of deaths, the National Fire and Rescue Administration will activate a collaborative mechanism and dispatch experts to participate in and guide the investigation. Before the investigation report of a major fire accident is reviewed locally, it must be submitted to the National Fire and Rescue Administration for examination. "This is to strictly prevent superficial investigations, perfunctory accountability, and secret warning notices; resolutely prevent turning big accidents into small ones or brushing them aside, or evading major responsibilities, thus ensuring the quality and effectiveness of the investigation."
For every fire resulting in a massive number of deaths, the Work Safety Committee of the State Council will implement supervised handling. The National Fire and Rescue Administration will dispatch an on-site supervision group and allocate national experts to participate and guide the entire process. At the same time, fire accidents of a severe nature or those causing major social impact will be subject to elevated-level investigations. After the case is closed, while releasing the fire investigation report to society, the truth and details of the fire will also be published.
In 2025, there were 58 fires in China with a relatively large number of deaths. Analysis showed that 43 of them had varying degrees of inadequate initial response, with 63.8% involving reports made more than 10 minutes after the fire started. Wang Tianrui stated that looking at the casualties from major fire accidents in recent years, many could have been avoided through scientific self-rescue and escape methods. (Editors: Chen Kai-yu / Chang Shu-ling) 1150410