Six officials held for karaoke fire in China

Six government officials have been arrested and 12 others disciplined for a karaoke bar fire in which 12 people were killed in central China's Henan Province last year.
The announcement was made by a Henan provincial team who investigated the fire, which took place on December 15 last year in Changyuan County, Henan, killing 12 people and injuring 28 others.
County fire chief Zhi Xiaoqiang, Deputy police chief Zhao Gewei and four others from the county police, tourism and fire authorities were arrested on charges of dereliction of duty in January, state-run Xinhua news agency quoted a local government statement today.

Deputy county chief Zhang Xuefeng and 11 other officials were given disciplinary punishment, including dismissal, demotion and warnings.
The investigation team concluded that the Huangguan karaoke bar had never obtained a fire safety permit until it was closed following the fire.
Karaoke business owner Kong Weikai was also arrested following the deadly blaze.