Jackie Chan donates for firefighters killed in NE China blaze

Jackie Chan (Xinhuanet file photo)

Chinese Kung-fu star Jackie Chan donated 500,000 yuan (about 80,523 US dollars) for the firefighters killed in northeast China's warehouse blaze, confirmed local authorities on Wednesday.

The money has been given to the five families, said an official with the civil affairs department of Heilongjiang. Local government will also compensate the families for their losses, he added.

The five deceased firemen, whose age ranged between 18 and 22, were buried in debris while trying to put out the fire in a warehouse at the Beifangnanxun ceramics market in Harbin, Heilongjiang's capital, at 9:37 p.m. on Friday.

After the tragedy, many people expressed their wish to donate to the families of these young men. The provincial civil affairs department has opened a donation account.

A memorial meeting for the martyrs will be held on Thursday.