8 killed in forest fire in China

Eight villagers have been killed while trying to put out a forest fire in northwest China,officials said.

The fire broke out yesterday near Fodong village,Xunyang county in Shaanxi Province,said the county government. Eight villagers,who suffered serious injuries while trying to douse the blaze,died at a hospital,state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

All residents near the fire scene have been relocated to safe areas. Meanwhile,one person has been detained for allegedly causing the fire.

An initial investigation showed that the fire was caused by the suspect,surnamed Zhang,whose careless use of fire triggered the calamity,the report said. Fire fighting efforts continued early this morning.