China's New Year's Eve fires kill 10

Fires killed ten people between 8 p.m. Jan. 30 to 1 a.m. Jan. 31, the eve of China's Spring Festival with 1,047 fires nationwide, according the Ministry of Public Security.

Police nationwide patrolled entertainment and fireworks venues on Thursday night, trying to spot fire dangers, said the Ministry.0 Nearly 180,000 fire fighters were standing by. Fire fighters were also stationed near temple fairs, in residential neighborhoods and other venues prone to fire, it said.

Text messages, as well as popular social media, such as the WeChat and microblogs were used to disseminate knowledge and enhance public awareness on fire protection, said the Ministry.

It is a tradition for Chinese to light fireworks during the Spring Festival to bring good fortune, but lighting firecrackers is an easy way to cause fires.