Beijing's state TV complex damaged by blaze 2009-02-10 16:40  iciba Fire consumed part of the Chinese state broadcaster's landmark headquarters complex in Beijing yesterday evening as many in the capital celebrated the end of the lunar new year holiday by setting off fireworks. Flames leapt out of an unoccupied tower just north of the new Central China Television head- quarters designed by Rem Koolhaas, the Dutch architect. The tower was built to house the Mandarin Oriental hotel, due to open this year. The fire department did not immediately comment on the suspected cause of the blaze. But witnesses in the crowd said they saw a large professional fireworks display next to the building before it caught fire. Many people in China were hoping for a more auspicious start to the year of the ox after the disasters of last year. CCTV, as the mouthpiece of the ruling Communist party, is seen as a symbol of state power. As well as the Mandarin Oriental hotel, the tower was designed to include a theatre, recording studios and cinemas. CCTV's main production and broadcasting units are expected to occupy the main building next door. One fire fighter was dead, and six other fire fighters and one construction worker injured.

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