Officials from a township in east China's Shandong Province have been detained for their role in the death of a man during a forced demolition, authorities said on Thursday.

On Monday, Zhang Jimin, a resident of Dong Gu Village of Difang Township, burned to death in his home.

An investigation launched by Linyi City believed several officials from Difang Township were culpable in the death of the man, as they were in charge of the village renovation project.

Wei Yunbo, Communist Party of China deputy secretary of Difang Township; Guan Yansheng, Party secretary of Dong Gu community; and Gaoqun, staff of Difang Township government, were among those detained.