Fire in Litang

On the night of Friday, 22nd May 2009, from our hotel, the Potala Inn, at 11pm, as we’re about to go to sleep, we notice a fire beginning several doors down.

11:09pm from our hotel window.

11:11pm people have gathered outside to watch.

 

11:15pm the entire building is in flames.

11:18pm the military come in to assess the situation.

11:19pm officers see me taking photos and tell me it’s not allowed.

11:21pm soldiers carrying plastic tubs filled with water run at the fire in single file, throwing the contents towards an open window. Several soldiers with DSLRs start taking photos of soldiers and the fire.

11:22pm the soldiers have initial success as the fire dies down in the room that they target.

11:24pm soldiers continue attacking the fire.

11:26pm soldiers are ordered to withdraw from the fire fight and resolve to watching the flames engulf the building.

11:30pm fire truck arrives and begins dousing the flames with the hose.

 

11:38pm fire truck continues battling the fire.

11:39pm soldiers are standing in formation with wash basins within 30m of fire.

11:47pm building is still ablaze, fire truck has left the scene.

7:46am fire is out, building continues to smoulder. Our hotel is located to the left of the smouldering building, in the background.

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