Lives Lost in Smoke: Deadly Fire Engulfs Chinese Restaurant, 22 Dead as Liaoning Echoes with Screams

International News. On Tuesday afternoon, such a havoc was created in Liaoyang city of Liaoning, north-eastern province of China, that the whole area was stunned. A massive fire suddenly broke out in a two-storey restaurant located in the city's Baeta district. The incident was so terrible that 22 people died on the spot. At the same time, three other people were seriously injured. This accident happened in Sanjizhuang Rehabilitation Residential Area. At the time the fire broke out, it was 12:25 pm. People were present in the restaurant for lunch. Then suddenly the flames engulfed the building. Within a few minutes, the smoke started touching the sky. In a video going viral on social media, it was seen how the entire restaurant was blazing and people were shouting for help.

There is chaos everywhere, teams are busy in rescue

As soon as the incident was reported, fire brigade and relief teams reached the spot. The injured were carried on stretchers and taken to ambulances. A video shared on the Chinese social media app 'Douin' shows how fire brigade personnel are trying to control the fire. But by then it was too late.

22 people dead and 3 injured after a #fire broke out at a restaurant near a resettlement housing complex in Liaoyang, #Liaoning Province. The investigation is ongoing. #China pic.twitter.com/AfFQ2zPS12

— Shanghai Daily (@shanghaidaily) April 29, 2025

President Xi Jinping's strong response

Chinese President Xi Jinping has described this incident as a 'serious human tragedy'. He has ordered that the injured should be given the best possible treatment, the families of the deceased should be given proper assistance and the causes of the fire should be investigated immediately and the culprits should be given strict punishment.

After all, whose carelessness became fatal?

It is not yet clear how the fire started. Was it a gas cylinder explosion or an electrical short circuit? But the question is why there were not enough fire safety arrangements in the restaurant. Were people's lives put at risk in pursuit of business profits?

Lessons not to be ignored 

This accident is a warning for China that fire safety should not be considered a mere formality. The pain of the accident is forgotten but for those who have lost their loved ones, it becomes a lifelong wound.