Trials for the first batch of people allegedly responsible for the fire in the hotel next to the new China Central Television (CCTV) tower will begin soon, and sources said more suspects were recently arrested, Dongfang Daily, a Shanghai-based newspaper reported today.
People under investigation include staff and managers at the Beijing Municipal Commission of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, and a project manager in charge of the new site's construction.
According to Beijing fire control authorities, the fire in the hotel was started by an errant firework set off near the new tower as a part of a fireworks display to celebrate the traditional Chinese Lantern Festival that marks the end of the Lunar New Year celebrations. CCTV had hired an outside company to organize the show.
The fire, which occurred on February 9th, 2008, killed one firefighter and injured seven people.