Arson blamed for Beijing cyber cafe fire

Two teenagers have been arrested on suspicion of starting a fire at a cyber cafe in Beijing in which 24 people died and 13 were injured.

Police investigating the blaze found traces of petrol at the scene, according to State media.

They claim the two suspects, aged 13 and 14, bought petrol at a nearby petrol station shortly before the fire broke out at the Lanjisu cyber café.

A spokesman for the police authorities said that the pair admitted that they started the fire following a "dispute with the cyber cafe's waiters two weeks ago".

The two boys were described as "frequent school truants and cyber cafe visitors".

Following the fire on Sunday morning the major of Beijing ordered the closure of all Internet cafes in the city. ®

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