A property in Hongjiang Ancient Commercial Town in central China's Hunan province, dubbed as the country's top ancient commercial town, was on fire on Monday night, local authorities said.
The blaze broke out at about 8:20 p.m. at a 200-year-old house where more than 10 households are living. Casualties are unknown, according to the Hongjiang municipal government.
Heavy smoke was seen and flakes of fire spread hundreds of meters, according to a witness.
Four fires have happened in the past four months in the town and many buildings have burnt down, according to the municipal government.
Hongjiang Ancient Commercial Town has 380 ancient structures, such as guest houses, temples and residential homes, which are between 100 and 600 years old. Eighteen properties are listed as key cultural relics.
The Chinese government is tightening fire controls at cultural heritage sites after a blaze at an ancient town in southwest China in January.
On Jan. 10, Dukezong in Shangri-la County of Yunnan Province, known for well-preserved Tibetan homes, lost nearly 300 houses, or two-thirds of the entire town, in the worst fire in its 1,300-year history.
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