Six officials have been arrested and 12 others disciplined after a karaoke bar fire killed 12 people and injured 28 others in central China's Henan Province, according to local authorities.
The announcement was made by a Henan provincial team who investigated the fire, which occurred on Dec. 15 last year in Changyuan County, Henan.
County fire chief Zhi Xiaoqiang, Deputy police chief Zhao Gewei and four others from the county police, tourism and fire authorities were arrested on charges of dereliction of duty in January, according to the government statement.
Deputy county chief Zhang Xuefeng and 11 other officials were given disciplinary punishment, including dismissal, demotion and warnings.
The investigation team concluded that the Huangguan karaoke bar had never obtained a fire safety permit until it was closed following the fire. Karaoke business owner Kong Weikai was also arrested following the deadly blaze.
