Located in the city's Taiyang Island [zh] (太阳岛) resort area, the four-storey brick-and-concrete hotel mostly accommodates domestic tourists and was hosting over 100 people at the time, many of whom were visiting for an annual marathon.

Smoke from combustibles in the kitchen and karaoke bar spread up the stairways and air systems into the hallways,[3] requiring firefighters to evacuate more than 80 guests with at least 20 needing rescue.

[9] The Beijing Jiufangyuyue Commercial and Trading Co confirmed in the days after the fire that all of the deceased victims were members of a 10-day trip through their company, aged 59 to 85.

A legal representative of the hotel was detained for questioning by the Harbin public security bureau the same day, and the Deputy Director of MEM's fire control bureau immediately ordered safety checks at hospitals, senior living homes, schools, major venues and other hotels.

[12] The public security bureau of Harbin issued a wanted notice on 29 August 2018, for a female suspect in connection with the hotel camera.