MikeLigalig.com

Investigators have blamed China's state TV for a huge fire that destroyed a hotel in Beijing, saying fire-crackers it illegally set off caused the blaze.

A firefighter died after inhaling toxic fumes and six people were injured in the fire at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel that raged for more than five hours.

China Central Television (CCTV) staged the fireworks display nearby to mark the end of Lunar New Year celebrations.

The hotel, which is under construction, was empty when the fire broke out.

The 44-storey building is located just a few hundred metres from CCTV's iconic headquarters - designed as part of the city's Olympic makeover. - bbc