Lu Feiran/Shanghai Daily news

Fire disasters had cost the city nearly 51 million yuan (US$7.45 million) this year by the end of November, more than double the amount for the same period last year, local fire control authorities said yesterday.

At least 3,180 fires broke out during the period, killing 39 people. Both numbers were lower than last year, down about 18 percent and 15 percent respectively, said the Shanghai Fire Control Bureau, but the number of injured rose by about 47 percent, officials said.