Shangri-la Hotel Mongolia: Blaze breaks out on seventh floor of building
Pictures show Ulaanbaatar building covered in flames
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A fire broke out at the high rise Shangri-la Hotel in Mongolia, with smoke and flames visible throughout the afternoon.
The fire could be seen climbing up the luxury hotel in downtown Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia's capital on Tuesday. The hotel is still under construction and is due to be completed by 2015.
Local journalist Lisa Gardner told The Independent the fire broke out at 12.45pm and 23 people are believed to have been evacuated from the site. The blaze is understood to have started on the seventh floor of the building.
It was extinguished by 2.40pm local time. Business Mongolia (BM) said initial reports suggest there were no deaths or injuries from the incident as construction workers were on lunch and had left the premesis.
It said the fire was caused by an electrical wire, although this has not been officially confirmed.
The hotel is part of a chain of five-star lodgings across Asia, the Middle East, North America and Europe.
BM reports that $500 million has been invested in the Ulaanbaatar hotel.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments