Arson ruled out as cause of Jokhang Temple fire in Lhasa

LHASA - A preliminary investigation has ruled out any human factors in the fire that broke out in Jokhang Temple in Lhasa, capital of Southwest China's Tibet autonomous region.

According to the local government, no casualties were caused in the fire. The life-sized statue of the Sakyamuni Buddha when he was 12 years old was intact.

The fire broke out on the second floor of the rear part of the sacred monastery at 6:40 Saturday evening and was soon put out. An area of about 50 square meters was burned.

The golden top has been removed in case of collapse or reburning. Protective supports and clapboards have been erected around the statue.

The regional cultural relics bureau said all the registered 6,510 cultural relics and the main building were intact.

The fire broke out in the ventilating chamber, which was built in late 1980s. No cultural relics were stored inside the chamber.

The temple opened to the public as usual one day after the fire.

The local government has ordered a citywide inspection to eliminate fire hazards in major temples.

Jokhang Temple is renowned in Tibetan Buddhism. It has a history of more than 1,300 years and houses many cultural treasures.