Fire in Tianjin Mall - Official Death toll of 10 Disputed

Fire broke out in a major shopping center in northern China on Saturday. State-run media reports it 10 people died, but locals have questioned the death toll.

The blaze happened in the Laide Commercial Mall in Jixian county in Tianjin province. It's the largest mall in the area, and locals say Saturday is the busiest shopping day. The flames started in the second floor of the five story building, and State-run China Daily reports crew took seven hours to put out the fire.

Officially, 10 people died and sixteen others suffered light injuries. However, there have been unconfirmed reports on social-media websites that as many one hundred people may have perished. Beijing media reports inadequate emergency procedures meant those inside the mall above the second level could not get out of the building. Some witnesses claimed to have seen people jumping out windows.

China Daily reports that the cause of the fire is under investigation.

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