‌Deadly Fire at Hangzhou Ice and Snow World Kills Six‌

‌HANGZHOU, China‌ – A catastrophic fire erupted at the Hangzhou Ice and Snow World amusement park on the morning of June 9, 2022, claiming six lives—including two firefighters—and injuring 19 others. Preliminary investigations trace the blaze to unauthorized welding operations that ignited highly flammable materials at the construction site. The direct economic loss is estimated at 30.57 million yuan.

🔥 ‌Sequence of the Disaster‌
‌Preparation Phase‌
Three uncertified welders accessed the work zone at 9:00 AM, positioning ladders and laying electrical cables. Critical safety violations were noted: plastic artificial greenery and other combustible debris piled near the welding area were not removed, creating imminent fire hazards.

‌Welding Operations‌

‌9:29 AM‌: Welding commenced at the first joint. For 18 minutes, high-temperature molten slag showered onto scattered flammable materials on the ground.
‌9:56 AM‌: Workers shifted to a second welding point. Sparks penetrated polyurethane insulation layers within ‌30 seconds‌, triggering violent flames that engulfed the structure.
‌Critical Safety Failures‌

No fire watch personnel were deployed to monitor operations.
Initial flames went undetected, allowing rapid fire spread.
Unsealed exit doors accelerated toxic smoke diffusion, hindering evacuation8.
⚖️ ‌Investigation Findings‌
Authorities confirmed systemic negligence:

All welders lacked required certifications.
Fire partitions were nonfunctional, and no fire extinguishers were available onsite.
A multi-layered breakdown in safety protocols directly enabled the tragedy.
🚒 ‌Aftermath‌
Over 60 firefighters battled the blaze for five hours before containing it. The municipal government has launched city-wide inspections of high-risk construction sites and suspended operations at ice-and-snow entertainment venues pending safety upgrades. Legal proceedings against project managers and contractors are underway.

‌Lessons Highlighted‌: This incident underscores lethal consequences of ignoring welding safety codes—particularly clearance of combustibles, certified personnel requirements, and mandated fire watches.