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China poultry plant fire kills dozens China poultry plant fire kills scores
(35 minutes later)
A fire at a poultry abattoir in north-east China has killed at least 55 people, with more believed to be trapped, state media reported. A fire at a poultry abattoir in north-east China has killed at least 112 people, with dozens of others injured, authorities have said.
The fire broke out just after dawn in Mishazi township, near Dehui in Jilin province, Xinhua news agency said. The fire broke out just after dawn on Monday in Mishazi township, near Dehui in Jilin province, Xinhua news agency said.
"About 100 workers have managed to escape from the plant, whose gate was locked when the fire occurred," Xinhua said. The Jilin provincial government said in a statement posted on its blog that it appeared the death toll could continue to rise as more bodies were recovered from the charred buildings.
The fire at the Jilin Baoyuanfeng Poultry company has been blamed on a
chemical ammonia leak.
"About 100 workers have managed to escape from the plant, whose gate was locked when the fire occurred," the Xinhua state news agency said.
"The complicated interior structure of the prefabricated house in which the fire broke out and the narrow exits have added difficulties to the rescue work," it said."The complicated interior structure of the prefabricated house in which the fire broke out and the narrow exits have added difficulties to the rescue work," it said.
The exact number of people trapped was unclear. It was initially reported that the fire appeared to have been sparked by three early-morning explosions in the plant's electrical system, Xinhua said. The State broadcaster CCTV quoted unidentified workers as saying the fire broke out during a change of shifts and may have originated in a locker room when about 350 workers were at the site.
The fire appeared to have been sparked by three early-morning explosions in the plant's electrical system, Xinhua said. The State broadcaster CCTV quoted unidentified workers as saying the fire broke out during a change of shifts and may have originated in a locker room when about 350 workers were at the site.
The death and injury toll came from a Jilin provincial government spokesman who gave only his surname, Ma. He declined to give further details. Rescue workers found the bodies in the charred buildings.
CCTV footage showed dark smoke billowing from the cement structures.CCTV footage showed dark smoke billowing from the cement structures.
The plant's owner, Jilin Baoyuanfeng Poultry, is a major producer of processed chicken and employs about 1,200 people. The plant is outside the city of Dehui, about 500 miles (800km) north-east of Beijing. Jilin Baoyuanfeng Poultry is a major producer of processed chicken and employs about 1,200 people. The plant is outside the city of Dehui, about 500 miles (800km) north-east of Beijing.
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