(Yicai Global) Dec. 11 -- A fire has burned down a 16-story wooden pagoda, the tallest of its kind in Asia, in Mianzhu city in China's western Sichuan province yesterday afternoon.

The blaze started at midday at the Jiulong Monastery and spread quickly, fanned by strong winds.

Firefighters put out the fire by 4:30 pm the same day and all main buildings were destroyed over an 800 square meter area. There were no casualties, the local government said.

The 400-year old tower was rebuilt after sustaining damage during the 2008 Wenchuan Earthquake.