The authorities and the public should learn a lesson from Monday's killer blaze in a residential building in Shanghai. They have to ensure that buildings have foolproof escape routes and proper firefighting equipment, says an article in West China City Newspaper. Excerpts:

Dozens of people were killed and many injured in the fire that broke out in a residential building in Jing'an district of Shanghai. The tragedy has exposed the loopholes in fire safety measures in tall buildings.

Since a fire spreads fast in tall buildings, the authorities have to ensure that every high-rise is equipped with fire extinguishers, has foolproof escape routes, its residents are trained to react properly during emergency and there is ample space for firefighters and rescuers to move in to douse a fire. Also, the authorities should organize regular fire drills in high-rises to keep residents alert.

People can compel builders and the authorities to take these measures if they stop buying or renting apartments in unsafe buildings.The lives lost in the tragic Shanghai fire cannot be brought back, but we can prevent others from suffering the same fate.

(China Daily 11/17/2010 page9)