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BEIJING, Nov. 19-- Cai Qi, secretary of the Communist Party of China Beijing Municipal Committee, has ordered a 40-day city-wide safety check after a deadly fire killed 19 people and injured eight more. A fire broke out Saturday night at a three-story apartment at Xinjian Village, Daxing District in the southern suburb of the city. A total of 19 people died. Eight people were sent to the hospital, and seven of them have been out of danger. Preliminary investigation showed there was a refrigeration facility in the basement of the apartment, where fire was likely to have started, according to fire fighters. There was heavy smoke in the building but no large flames, said the fire fighters. Cai Qi and acting mayor Chen Jining led other officials to the site of the fire Sunday morning and stood in silent tribute to the dead. "Lessons of the fire is extremely grave. The city must be on high alert. We must take actions and protect people's lives and safeguard the safety and stability of the capital," said Cai at a city-wide meeting convened Sunday afternoon. Cai ordered a cleanup of industrial compounds, illegal construction and disorderly venues in order to eliminate fire risks. The city-wide cleanup work starts Monday. He urged local officials to check every village and every courtyard for security risks. An investigation team has been set up to ascertain the cause of the fire and those who are held accountable will be punished. | 
