China explosion: Fires at Shandong chemical plant

An explosion has been reported at a chemical plant in China’s eastern province of Shandong.

Large flames can be seen from the site of the blast in Zibo County. There are so far no reports of any casualties.

The People’s Daily said a warehouse at the plant exploded and firefighters are at the scene. There is a residential area about 1km from the plant.

Earlier this month blasts in the northern city of Tianjin killed at least 116 people, with hundreds hurt.

Unverified YouTube footage showed a massive explosion at the Shandong plant.

It is not yet clear if homes in the Shandong area have been damaged.

The operators of the Tianjin site are being investigated for allowing dangerous chemicals to be stored too close to homes.

The blasts there also raised fears of contamination by toxic substances.

They also sparked a nationwide directive cracking down on the storage of chemicals.

(courtesy of BBC News)