Editor's Note: Sometimes, media becomes the news...as is the case in China where one state owned TV network wound up burning down a luxury hotel. Unfortunately, we can't say "only in America" on this one.----
BEIJING - China's state-run television broadcaster is apologizing for a fireworks display that sparked a blaze that destroyed a luxury hotel and killed one firefighter.
The official Xinhua News Agency reports a handful of others were injured in the fire that was doused early today after burning for more than five hours at the unfinished Mandarin Oriental hotel.
A fire official blames the unlicensed fireworks used to celebrate the Lunar New Year.
The spokesman says the people hired to set off the fireworks are being questioned.
CCTV said it is deeply grieved "for the severe damage the fire caused to the country's property."
The Mandarin Oriental is part of a stunning CCTV complex that helped transform the capital's skyline for last year's Olympics.
Source: The Associated Press
