This is the moment a Qing Dynasty mansion erected with wood and stone goes up in flames with the raging fire illuminating the night sky.
The distressing scenes were captured in the city of Tongren in China’s south-western Guizhou Province, where thousands of witnesses gathered to watch as the estate known as Chen Gongguan was swallowed by the blaze.
Footage shows the entire building burning brightly as the fire engulfs the entirety of the structure from the inside out.
Chen Gongguan – or the Chen Mansion – is a cultural relic, the construction of which began during the reign of the Qing Dynasty (1644 to 1912) Guangxu, who reigned while largely under the control of his aunt, the notorious Chinese regent and Empress Dowager Cixi.
The estate is reported as a classical example of an architectural style that combines both Eastern and Western aesthetics.
It was completed in 1939 and it underwent extension restoration in 1992 after a serious fire destroyed the building’s wings.
The Tongren fire service said the blaze started at 12:50am on 25th April and they were able to put it out several hours later.
However, they were unable to prevent the fire from spreading throughout the entire structure.
No casualties have been reported as investigations into the fire continue.