A forest fire that broke out at a mountain in the city of Qingdao in Shandong Province killed two forest rangers and injured another just days ahead of China's Tomb Sweeping Day, authorities said Friday.

According to the provincial forestry department, the two forest rangers were trapped by the fire and died at the scene before the blaze was put out by 4p.m. on Thursday.

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The blaze broke out past 2p.m. Thursday on Taihe Mountain in the district of Chengyang reportedly caused by people burning fake paper money and incense.

Another ranger was rushed to the hospitals for sustaining burn injuries as a result of the blaze. At least 100 fire fighters were called in to put out the blaze, according to the official Xinhua news agency.

The identities of the two forest rangers and the injured ranger were not immediately disclosed. It was not also clear if the area has been closed for the Tomb Sweeping Day.

As the Tomb Sweeping Day nears, it has been a tradition of Chinese people to burn fake paper money and other possessions with the belief that these will reach deceased friends or loved ones.

Last Monday, a fire that ripped through a residential building in Anhui Province killed six people, local authorities said.

The blaze hit a four-story building in Chengguan Town, Fuyang City at about 5 p.m.

Fire fighters managed to pull out six seriously injured people from the building. The injured persons, however, died later in the hospital.

The fire immediately triggered the local government of Anhui Province to launch an investigation into the fire and ordered authorities to conduct a county-wide fire hazards inspection.

TagsChina Forest Fire, China Fire, Tomb Sweeping Day, China Forest Rangers