Photo by EPA/OLIVER WEIKEN.

Fire destroyed a building in Beijing that formed part of Central China Television’s new headquarters, as residents launched fireworks throughout the city to celebrate the Lantern Festival.

Flames 6-9 metres (20-30 feet) high shot out of the building, which is just north of CCTV’s landmark tower. But the tower appeared to be untouched.

“Debris is falling and flames are coming out in all directions,” Edie Marshall, a Beijing resident, told Reuters.

Hundreds of people stood and watched as fire trucks raced to the site.

The destroyed building housed the Mandarin Oriental hotel in eastern Beijing, which was supposed to open in 2009.

Categories: Fighting Fire, Photo of the Day
Tags: