15 die in fires over New Year holidays

BEIJING, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- China reported 2,061 fires during the three-day New Year holiday that started Saturday, causing 15 deaths, the fire fighting authority said Tuesday.

The fires caused direct economic losses of 18.66 million yuan (2.87 million U.S. dollars), said the fire control bureau of the Ministry of Public Security, adding that no large fire was reported during the holidays.

Fire departments have strengthened inspections to ensure safety in major public places, including crowded streets, entertainment venues and shopping malls, it said.

More than 63,800 fire fighters were deployed to deal with emergencies over the holiday, rescuing or evacuating 726 trapped people and saving properties worth more than 44 million yuan.