Carelessly lit incense caused fire at historic temple in China
The wooden Wenchang Pavilion at the Yongqing Temple in Jiangsu province, which has a history spanning thousands of years, was engulfed in a severe fire caused by the careless use of incense and candles.
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A major fire scare occurred at the historic Yongqing Temple in the city of Zhangjiagang, in eastern China. The fire broke out in the Wenchang Pavilion, a three-story wooden structure within the temple, after a visitor accidentally used incense and candles improperly. Firefighting teams acted quickly following the incident and managed to bring the blaze under control.
Authorities reported that the fire did not result in any casualties; there were no deaths or injuries. It was noted that the Wenchang Pavilion affected by the fire was actually rebuilt in 2009, meaning that artifacts of historical value were not damaged by the fire.
The temple management reiterated its warnings to visitors and staff regarding the safe use of incense and candles during prayers and rituals. The incident once again highlighted the need for caution regarding fire safety in historic structures.