Beijing, Aug.9 : a fire near the finishing line confronted rowers at the Shunyi Regatta Centre near Beijing on Saturday.

With temperature and humidity readings already soaring, rowers were forced to contend with the added discomfort of acrid smoke bellowing from what appeared to be an air conditioning unit.

The blaze lasted around five minutes before a fire truck arrived to extinguish it, and prompted a number of spectators seated nearby to move further down the course. No one was injured.

ANI