A family in Nanjing has been making the most unusual move of speaking out in public to voice their concerns, as the cause of the fire that took the life of a relative in a downtown Nanjing apartment continues to be investigated by the relevant authorities.
Liu Xiangyu (刘翔宇) died in the fire that recently broke out in his sixth floor apartment in the Huangli New Village Residential Community in Nanjing’s Xinjiekou. Huangli New Village is located off Wangfu Da Jie to the southeast of its intersection with Moling Lu.
Liu was Director of Transportation for a local firm. His relatives are desperately hoping that they may find out the cause of the fire as soon as possible.
But thus far, any kind of explanation has not been forthcoming from any of the authorities responsible for the investigation. Miss Liu, brother of the victim, has been quite vocal in her demands for absolution.
Speaking with The Paper, Liu said, “We are not trying to make things difficult. All we seek is an explanation for his death” (我说我们又不是为了我 我们是为给死者讨一个说法).
Other family members also spoke to the media, saying, “I didn’t know the fire report didn’t come out”, and, “I’ve been emphasising that it was an accident”.
The family’s outspokenness, however, has so far had little impact. As of now, the emergency investigative services are remaining tight lipped. A member of staff with the Nanjing Fire Department said, “This is an ongoing investigation, looking into all aspects [of the fire]. The Emergency Management Bureau is responsible for a unified investigation.”
“We are cooperating with them to investigate the cause of the fire, but no conclusion has as yet been reached.”
In China, it is quite unusual for citizens to speak out against authorities in public, and such incidences are even less frequently reported by the media.
