Gas crackdown follows fatal explosion

Firefighters in Beijing have commenced a series of spot checks on restaurants in the capital, prompted by a deadly explosion in a hot pot restaurant last week.

"This inspection is a specialized check on the safety usage of gas in canteens. It's a response to the hot pot gas explosion in Shanxi last week," said Li Zhuo, media officer from Beijing Firefighting Bureau.

A blast caused by a gas canister at Xiyangyang hot pot restaurant in Jinzhong, Shanxi Province, killed 14 and injured 47 Friday, reported the Xinhua News Agency.　

Explosions caused by gas leaks are common in the capital. On September 18, three chefs were injured in a fire at a Yunnan restaurant in Xicheng district. In May, five people were burnt in two separate incidents in restaurants in Haidian and Chaoyang districts. All involved gas leaks.　

However, Li said that in Beijing, fires caused by gas explosions are rare.

"More fires [in Beijing] are caused by using electronic products," he said, although he did not have accurate statistics to hand.

According to Li, Beijing has higher standards than other cities nationwide, and strict policies on the use of gas in restaurants, including storage of canisters and alarms to warn of leaks.

Restaurants not meeting the standards could be fined or ordered to close, he said.

Many restaurants said that they were unclear as to how to safely deal with gas canisters.

"We've operated for many years and had no accidents. We have a pipe from each table's gas canister, and we don't need to check them," said an anonymous staff member from Xiangyuzhai, a hot pot restaurant in Xicheng district

"If you're afraid, you just don't come here," he said.