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China explosion: Fires at Shandong chemical plant China blast hits Shandong chemical plant
(about 11 hours later)
An explosion has been reported at a chemical plant in China's eastern province of Shandong. One person has been killed and nine injured after an explosion at a chemical plant in China's eastern Shandong province, state media report.
Large flames could be seen from the site after the blast in the city of Zibo. Nine people are reported injured. Xinhua news agency said a warehouse in Zibo city exploded, triggering a fire. Huge flames were visible.
The People's Daily said a warehouse at the Runxing chemical plant exploded. There is a residential area about 1km from the plant. The site is just 1km from a residential area. No contamination had been detected, the agency said.
Earlier this month blasts involving chemicals in the northern city of Tianjin killed at least 121 people. Earlier this month, blasts involving chemicals killed at least 121 people in the city of Tianjin, further north.
Hundreds were injured there and 54 remain missing. Hundreds were injured and 54 are still missing.
The proximity of industrial and chemical plants to residential areas has become hugely controversial.The proximity of industrial and chemical plants to residential areas has become hugely controversial.
Saturday's blast took place near the city of Zibo, the South China Morning Post reported, quoting a villager who said that he saw a huge fireball and then heard two explosions. Widespread public anger over the deadly explosions in Tianjin has led to promises to improve China's patchy commitment to industrial safety, says the BBC's Celia Hatton in Beijing.
The paper said that the fire had been brought under control by late on Saturday night. Last week, an inspection of places storing hazardous chemicals in Beijing unearthed safety issues at 85 out of 124 sites, resulting in two emergency factory closures.
It is not yet clear if homes in the area have been damaged.
Poisonous gasesPoisonous gases
The explosion triggered a fire and a dozen fire engines attended the scene, Xinhua news agency reported. The explosion at the Runxing chemical factory occurred just before 21:00 local (12:00 GMT) on Saturday, triggering a fire.
Windows shattered at the scene of the blast and vibrations could be felt 2km from the site.
About 150 firefighters and 20 fire engines fought the blaze, Xinhua said.
The state-run Beijing Times said the Runxing plant contained adiponitrile - a colourless liquid that releases poisonous gases when burned.
Howard Zhang of BBC Chinese says that the blasts at Shandong and Tianjin have taken on a political significance and threaten to overshadow China's celebrations of the 70th anniversary of its victory over Japan in World War Two.Howard Zhang of BBC Chinese says that the blasts at Shandong and Tianjin have taken on a political significance and threaten to overshadow China's celebrations of the 70th anniversary of its victory over Japan in World War Two.
The state-run Beijing Times reported that the Runxing plant contained adiponitrile - a colourless liquid that releases poisonous gases when it reacts with fire,
Windows shattered at the scene of the blast, state media reported, and its vibration could be felt 2km from the site.
The operators of the Tianjin site are being investigated for allowing dangerous chemicals to be stored too close to homes.The operators of the Tianjin site are being investigated for allowing dangerous chemicals to be stored too close to homes.
How safe is Tianjin after blasts?How safe is Tianjin after blasts?
The questions after TianjinThe questions after Tianjin
The blasts there also raised fears of contamination by toxic substances. The blasts there raised fears of contamination by toxic substances.
They also sparked a nationwide directive cracking down on the storage of chemicals.
Officially the minimum distance between businesses with dangerous chemicals and public buildings and transport networks is meant to be 1km.Officially the minimum distance between businesses with dangerous chemicals and public buildings and transport networks is meant to be 1km.
But data from the Tianjin incident showed there were at least three major residential communities inside that distance from the warehouse.But data from the Tianjin incident showed there were at least three major residential communities inside that distance from the warehouse.