Beijing sees fewer fire, injury cases under fireworks ban

BEIJING, Feb. 21 (Xinhua) -- Beijing saw fewer fires and injuries caused by fireworks during the Lunar New Year holiday as the city enforced a firework ban.

From Feb. 15 to 20, fireworks caused 17 fires and injured 30 people, down 73 percent and 62 percent from last Spring Festival, the city's fireworks control office said in a statement on Wednesday.

Fireworks are a major part of Lunar New Year festivities in China, but use of fireworks has been restricted due to safety concerns and their effect on air pollution.

Beijing has banned fireworks within the Fifth Ring Road and densely-populated areas on the outskirts.