Iconic building spire goes up in flames

• Source: Global Times
• [09:48 April 14 2010]
• Comments

He said that as a precautionary measure the semiconductor lightning eliminator installed in the building should be checked for damage and quickly replaced if anything abnormal in the equipment is discovered.

Once word of the fire spread to the capital Tuesday, authorities there began conducting maintenance checks on lightning rods used for buildings in Beijing.

Shanghai officials declined to comment on the issue.

As of late Tuesday, authorities were still investigating the case.

Situated in the heart of the city's financial district in Lujiazui, the Oriental Pearl TV Tower which hugs the banks of the Huangpu River in Pudong New Area attracts millions of visitors annually and is expected to be a major draw for visitors com-ing to the World Expo 2010 in Shanghai.