A 15-floor pagoda at a Buddhist temple in China’s southwestern Sichuan Province burned to the ground on Sunday afternoon along with two nearby halls. The cause of the inferno is under investigation. No casualties were reported.

The tower, described by the China Daily as the tallest wooden pagoda in Asia, is part of a larger complex at Jiulong Temple in the city of Mianzhu, which was heavily damaged during the 2008 Sichuan earthquake.

From chinadaily.com.cn

The temple complex, which dates to the Ming dynasty (1368–1644), was in the process of being restored after it was destroyed in the magnitude 8 earthquake that devastated the region in 2008. 

Media reports said it took four hours to bring the blaze under control, although the structure could not be saved. Video footage and photos posted on social media showed the building engulfed in column of fire and smoke.

According to witnesses, the fire began in one of the temple’s halls before spreading to the other two buildings.

“The fire started at the Great Buddha Hall and spread to the Jade Emperor Hall,” said witness Yu Guixiang. “Then the wind was blowing and the pagoda was also on fire.” (ABC)

See more

Asia's tallest wooden pagoda destroyed (China Daily)
Pagoda, prayer hall at Buddhist temple in China’s Sichuan province destroyed by fire (South China Morning Post)
Fire destroys pagoda believed to be tallest in Asia (ABC)
Temple catches fire in SW China's Sichuan (Xinhuanet)

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