China suffered 185,587 fire accidents in the first nine months of this year, which killed 1,763 and injured 1,749 people, according to the Ministry of Public Security.

Direct property losses amounted to 1 billion yuan (approximately US$123.46 million).

Main causes of the accidents include improper installation and use of electrical facilities, improper handling of fire in daily life, smoking, playing with fire and improper operations at work, according to the ministry.

(Xinhua News Agency November 10, 2005)