BEIJING , China ( CNN ) -- A Chinese television station has apologized for Monday 's massive fire at an unoccupied luxury hotel that killed a firefighter and wounded seven other people . Police suspect fireworks to be the cause of the blaze at the 40-story Mandarin Oriental . Central China Television ( CCTV ) said in its apology that staffers who were overseeing the construction of a new television complex in central Beijing hired people to set off large firecrackers outside the building without prior approval . The resulting fire engulfed the newly constructed 40-story Mandarin Oriental , located next door . One firefighter died of smoke inhalation , Beijing officials said Tuesday . Six other firefighters and a construction worker were recuperating in hospitals . See photos of the blaze » . The blaze erupted in the final hours of new year 's celebrations as people set off fireworks across the city . Fred Rice , a British national who lives in Beijing , said `` the top of the building was exploding . '' `` We were n't sure if it was gas canisters or what . It was a spectacular sight for sure , '' he said . `` It was spreading incredibly fast , '' said another witness , Stephen Chaytor . `` It went from small flames to being totally engulfed in flames . '' Watch flames devour the hotel » . Beijing residents were supposed to stop selling and lighting fireworks by midnight , the state-run Xinhua news agency reported . The modern , angular building was a sign of Beijing 's recent transformation and modernization . It had been scheduled to open late last year , but the opening was postponed until this year , though most of the building had been constructed . According to its Web site , the Mandarin Oriental-Beijing is the flagship property in China for the Mandarin Oriental hotel chain . The tower stands more than 500 feet high and contains 241 rooms , Xinhua reported .
CCTV : Staffers overseeing new TV complex hired people to set off firecrackers . It added that this was done outside the building without prior approval . Blaze engulfed neighboring hotel during final hours of new year celebrations . Comment: