Chinese Public Security Minister Meng Jianzhu early Tuesday morning called for a thorough investigation into the cause of Monday's fatal fire in a downtown Shanghai residential building.

People responsible for the accident, which had claimed 42 lives by 10:00 PM Monday, would be punished in accordance with laws, Meng said.

He made the remarks at a meeting on handling the aftermath of the accident.

He urged local authorities to make all-out efforts in searching for and rescuing survivors, carefully count casualties and missing people, and make sure the injured get the best treatment on time.

He said local government should do relief work household by household, soothing the feelings of fire-affected people.

Meng said information related to the fire, including casualties, searching results, treatment of the injured and property losses, should be made public timely and accurately.

Meng arrived in Shanghai at wee hours Tuesday to guide rescue and relief work.

(Xinhua News Agency November 16, 2010)