An official at the property management department of Wuhua Mansion, who did not wish to be named, said he did not think it was their duty to maintain the pipes.

"The pipes are out of our management area because they are under the road," the official said. He said that steam had been rising from the pavement for a long time, but was ignored.

"We reported it to the heating group after finding hot water leaking from the ground before the accident occurred. Repair workers came to close a valve, but didn't take emergency measures, such as setting up a warning sign," he said.

He claimed that the developers of Wuhua Mansion had paid 320,000 yuan ($50,800) toward the victim's medical treatment, but "which party should finally pay compensation will depend on who is deemed responsible by the investigation team."

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