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A fire broke out at an Internet cafe in central China, injuring 27 people, the official Xinhua News Agency said Tuesday.
The blaze in Pingdingshan, a city in Henan province, started at 1 a.m. Sunday (1700 GMT Saturday), Xinhua said.
All 27 of the injured people were sent to nearby hospitals, it said.
Xinhua said police were investigating the cause of the fire, but didn't give any other details.
Internet cafes are extremely popular in China, especially with youths who chat or play online games for hours.
Fires occur regularly in China's Internet cafes, shopping malls, cinemas and other public places despite repeated official promises to improve safety. Many are blamed on a disregard for safety rules or a lack of fire escapes.
The blaze in Pingdingshan, a city in Henan province, started at 1 a.m. Sunday (1700 GMT Saturday), Xinhua said.
All 27 of the injured people were sent to nearby hospitals, it said.
Xinhua said police were investigating the cause of the fire, but didn't give any other details.
Internet cafes are extremely popular in China, especially with youths who chat or play online games for hours.
Fires occur regularly in China's Internet cafes, shopping malls, cinemas and other public places despite repeated official promises to improve safety. Many are blamed on a disregard for safety rules or a lack of fire escapes.
© 2006 AP DIGITAL