An unoccupied tower in the headquarters complex of China Central Television (CCTV) was engulfed by flames on Monday evening, the Financial Times reported. The fire department didn’t immediately comment on the suspected cause of the blaze, but witnesses said a large fireworks display took place next to the building before it caught fire. Many people across the city were celebrating the end of the Lunar New Year holiday by setting off fireworks. The 159-meter tower stands just north of the main CCTV building, designed by Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas. It was built to house the Mandarin Oriental hotel, due to open later this year, as well as a theatre, recording studios and cinemas. It appears no one was in the building. CCTV’s main production and broadcasting units are expected to occupy the main building next door.
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