China:Bus chief quits over fatal fire

THE chairman of a bus company in southwest China resigned after a fire on one of his buses killed 27 people on Friday.

Li Shuguang, chairman of the Beixing Bus Company of the Chengdu Public Transport Group Co and general manager of the group, stepped down from his posts on Sunday, according to the information office of the government of Chengdu, capital of Sichuan Province.

"I hope my resignation will draw society's attention to the question of safety of public transport and help make the urban public transport network safer and more convenient," Li said yesterday.

A preliminary investigation revealed that someone brought gasoline on to the bus. It is unclear if it was ignited intentionally or accidentally. Officials were expected to disclose more details at a news conference scheduled for late last night.