SHANGHAI — 2010 · Major Tragedy

The Shanghai Jiaozhou Road High-Rise Fire

ClosedSources: ALast updated: 14 October 2026

At around 2:15 p.m. on 15 November 2010, a fire broke out in a 28-storey apartment building on Jiaozhou Road in Shanghai's Jing'an district. Sparks from unlicensed welders working on the scaffolding erected for exterior insulation work ignited the blaze, and flammable insulation material is thought to have helped it spread rapidly. At least 58 people died and dozens were injured in the building, many of whose residents were retired teachers. Sixteen people, including four unlicensed welders and construction managers, were detained, and officials who had tolerated illegal practices were also arrested. On the seventh day after the fire, some 10,000 people laid flowers at the site in remembrance.

Date: 2010
Place: Jing'an, Shanghai, CN
Category: Major Tragedy
Case Status: Closed
Coordinates: 31.2350, 121.4440 ↗

Timeline of Events

15 November 2010, 2:15 p.m.Fire broke out during welding work on the scaffolding.
November 2010People including unlicensed welders were detained.

21 November 2010Some 10,000 people mourned the victims at the site.
December 2010Officials who had tolerated illegal practices were arrested.

Sources

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