• Investigations indicate a tourist sparked the fire due to improper use of candles and incense
• Fire was quickly contained with no injuries reported

A large blaze broke out at the Wenchang Pavilion on Fenghuang Mountain in Jiangsu province, China, after a visitor misused incense and candles, according to preliminary investigations.

Footage shows the three-story building collapsing as large sections of its wooden roof fall amid thick black smoke.

Authorities said the fire was likely triggered by a tourist’s “irresponsible candle use” and mishandling of incense.

Officials confirmed no injuries, noting that firefighters quickly contained the blaze and prevented it from spreading to nearby forested areas.

The pavilion, completed in 2009, did not house any ancient relics or structures.

Wenchang Pavilion was part of the nearby Yongqing Temple, whose original site dates back about 1,500 years to the Liang Dynasty, although the current buildings were reconstructed in the 1990s.

Authorities said measures will be taken based on the investigation’s results and promised to strengthen safety protocols to reduce future fire risks. Restoration in the temple’s traditional architectural style is expected once the probe is complete.

This incident follows another fire two years ago that destroyed much of the historic Shandan Great Buddha Temple in Gansu province, leaving only the giant Buddha statue partially intact.