The fire in Jianban Ancient Town in Muchuan county in Southwest China's Sichuan Province Photo: Global Times

A fire broke out on Friday in Jianban Ancient Town, Muchuan county, Leshan city, Southwest China's Sichuan Province, damaging multiple buildings and sending thick smoke into the air, drawing widespread public attention. Local authorities on Saturday released a report responding to the incident. 

According to the report released by the local emergency management authority on the county government's official WeChat account, the fire had been fully extinguished by early Saturday morning. No casualties or damage to cultural relics were reported. 

The statement noted that the local police had secured control of the area, and all affected residents have been safely evacuated and properly relocated. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
 
According to media reports, Jianban Ancient Town is located at the junction of Muchuan, Qianwei and Yibin counties, and is a millennium-old town with a long history. The town features century-old buildings, stilted houses and stone-paved streets, and has been named among "Sichuan's Most Beautiful Streets" and "Sichuan's Most Beautiful Ancient Towns," attracting many visitors.

According to local government's website, the history of Jianban Ancient Town can be traced back to year 759 in Tang Dynasty (618-907). Today, along the town's roughly 800-meter-long old street, most houses are unoccupied, with only a handful of shops still in operation. 

The permanent population stands at 116, consisting mainly of elderly residents. Owing to the sustained efforts of the local government, the town's architecture has been well preserved. 


Global Times