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China resident builds fire escape door, stairs to nearby block, ordered to restore structure

Investigation reveals her alterations compromised building’s structural integrity and load-bearing capacity

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The woman explained that her plan was to utilise the newly installed door and stairs to escape to the neighbouring building in case of a fire in her own. Photo: SCMP composite/Baidu
Alice Yanin Shanghai

A woman in central China has astonished social media users by constructing a door in the external wall of a residential building and installing stairs to connect to the adjacent block as an emergency exit in the event of a fire.

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The modifications made by the resident surnamed Wang, who lives in Changde, Hunan province, came to light after a local internet user reported her to a government website, according to the Changde Daily.

Wang’s home is situated on the 28th floor of a building that has a total of 32 storeys. Several months ago, she hired workers to break through the external wall of her unit to install an iron door.

On the other side of the door, they constructed several steps leading to the roof of the neighbouring building. The stairs reportedly lack a handrail, according to pictures that have circulated widely online.

The modifications, featuring a new door and stairs added to the external wall of the building, have been widely shared online through numerous pictures. Photo: 163.com
The modifications, featuring a new door and stairs added to the external wall of the building, have been widely shared online through numerous pictures. Photo: 163.com

Wang stated that she built the door and stairs out of safety concerns.

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She explained that she planned to use the newly installed door and stairs to escape to the neighbouring building in the event of a fire in her own.

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