Illegal Fireworks Caused Massive Beijing Blaze

The spectacular blaze that gutted a Beijing skyscraper at the CCTV complex was the result of an illegal fireworks display set up by one of the Chinese Television's employees.

Fire authorities in Beijing said the fireworks were high-explosive devices that were set off illegally Monday evening during celebrations to mark the end of the Lunar New Year holiday. One firefighter died after inhaling toxic fumes while battling the fire and seven other people were injured.

CCTV issued a statement Tuesday saying one of its employees hired a company without authorization to let off fireworks in a compound that houses the Television Cultural Center building, which was gutted by the blaze. That building – in the shape of a silver boot -- is next door to the landmark $800 million CCTV tower, which appears to be undamaged, according to a fire department official on the scene Tuesday.

In its broadcast statement, CCTV apologized for causing "serious damage to the country's treasure," referring to these two buildings, part of an award-winning design by architect Rem Koolhaas that helped to transform the Beijing skyline ahead of the August Olympics.

The admission of culpability is an embarrassment for the powerful state broadcaster. The statement went on to say the broadcaster felt "heartache" and it apologized "for the traffic jam and inconvenience to people around the area." Almost 600 firemen, 85 fire-engines and 16 military units were involved in fighting the flames within the vast compound, which is about the size of 37 football fields.