Fire damages pavilion at historic Yongqing Temple in China
A fire broke out at the Yongqing Temple in Zhangjiagang, Jiangsu province, China, on November 12, engulfing the three-story Wenchang Pavilion. The temple, located on Fenghuang Mountain and originally built during the Southern Liang dynasty, suffered significant damage, though no injuries were reported.
The blaze, which erupted at 11:24 a.m., was attributed to the improper use of incense and candles by a visitor, according to the Global Times. Videos circulated online showed the wooden structure consumed by flames, with thick smoke billowing into the sky and fragments of the roof falling as the fire raged. By the time it was extinguished, only the pavilion’s concrete frame remained intact.
The Wenchang Pavilion, constructed in October 2009, did not house any cultural relics. Authorities confirmed that all structures within the temple complex are modern constructions, as the original temple buildings were demolished and the resident monks dismissed in 1958. The pavilion itself was rebuilt in 1993.
Local officials have announced legal action against those found responsible for the fire and pledged to introduce measures to prevent similar incidents. They also confirmed that the fire was contained, preventing it from spreading to nearby forested areas.
The Yongqing Temple, a site with over 1,500 years of history, remains a significant cultural and religious landmark despite the modern reconstructions.
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