Officials in Xinjiang are preparing to offer small loans, living subsidies and tax exemption for the owners of 1,046 business stalls which were all destroyed in a fire last week.

Yin Yulin, a senior official in Urumqi, said the city would offer living and healthcare subsidies and assistance with children's tuition costs to the stall-holders.

A five-year tax exemption will be offered to those who wish to resume trading.

The fire began at around 8:20 p.m. last Wednesday in a mop vendor's stall of the 12-storey Dehui International Plaza in downtown Urumqi and quickly engulfed the whole building. The plaza contained 1,046 stalls of clothing, cosmetics, toys and other items.

Five people, including three firemen, were killed.

The Urumqi government and the Doowin Industrial and Commercial Group Co., Ltd., owner of the market-office building, will work together to find new stall space for the victims as the plaza will be dismantled, said Yin.

The official said compensation to the victims' families was also being processed.

Top managers with the Doowin Group have been requested to stay in the city for investigation. The property and bank accounts of the owner were also frozen.

The city government has set up a hot line (0991-4660527) and a bank account to receive donations for the victims.

(Xinhua News Agency January 9, 2008)