1,000-year-old Chinese Wenchang Pavilion temple gutted in fire after careless use of candle and agarbatti by a tourist

A video from China has gone viral showing a fire tearing through an ancient Wenchang Pavilion temple in Jiangsu province. In the video, thick smoke was seen filling the sky, and the three-storey structure collapsed within minutes, the Sun reported. As per the report, officials said the blaze started after a tourist used incense and candles incorrectly, sparking a fire that quickly engulfed the wooden building.

Blaze caught on camera

The fire broke out at the Wenchang Pavilion on Fenghuang Mountain. Footage circulating online shows flames racing across the structure as parts of the wooden roof fall to the ground. Clouds of black smoke can be seen rising as the entire pavilion gives way.

The blaze erupted on 12 November and a preliminary probe pointed to a visitor’s “irresponsible candle use” and mishandling of incense, The Sun reported. Officials said the tourist’s actions triggered the disaster.

No casualties, damage contained

Authorities, however, said no one was hurt in the incident. Firefighters contained the blaze before it could spread to nearby forest areas. The pavilion, commissioned in 2008 and completed in 2009, did not house any ancient architectural relics.

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The Wenchang Pavilion was under the care of the neighbouring Yongqing Temple. While Yongqing Temple’s current buildings were reconstructed in the 1990s, its original site goes back around 1,500 years to the Liang Dynasty before falling into ruins.Also Read: 32-year-old Canara Bank manager pulls off a ‘perfect’ Rs 1.6 crore heist from his own branch, but his scooter spoils everythingLocal authorities said additional action will follow once the investigation is completed. They also said safety checks will be tightened to prevent similar fires. After the probe, restoration work is expected to begin in the traditional architectural style of the site.