Fears for 80-year-old man after blaze at Haidian compound

An alleged gas explosion caused a blaze at a residential compound in Xicui Lu, Haidian district, Wednesday. 

While the majority of residents were evacuated safely, some are concerned as to the whereabouts of an 80-year-old pork knuckle seller, who lives in the compound and failed to turn up to work Wednesday.   

The fire broke out at 10:40 am and was extinguished at about 1:30 pm.

The cause of fire is under investigation, Beijing Firefighting Bureau said Wednesday.

The fire started in a three-story building, built decades ago with a wooden roof. Thick smoke enveloped the building in just a few minutes, and many nearby houses were affected, said Hu Yulong, a witness who lives opposite. 

"A couple of fire engines and ambulances rushed there, and I heard residents coming from the compound saying that the gas pipes in one of the apartments exploded," Hu said.

Li Jianren, media officer with Beijing Emergency Center, said that only one resident was slightly injured, and was sent to Beijing First Division of Chinese PLA General Hospital.

But the news still received lots of attention online, as Xu Wenting, the pork knuckle seller, is famous in the capital for the quality of his product. 

"We call him 'pork knuckle grandpa,' and he usually shows up at 2 pm in front of the compound. There were already over 50 people lined up," Hu said.

"But today, he did not show up, and I hope that he was not injured in the fire," he said.