Fire engulfs petrochemical plant in east China

World Today

fireFire engulfs a petrochemical plant in east China. Photo: CCTV.

Firefighters combated a fire that engulfed a petrochemical plant in east China’s Shandong Province on Thursday. A witness captured the incredible images of the fire and explosion on a mobile phone.

More than 200 firefighters and 40 fire trucks combated the massive fire. The tank exploded three times since 9:00 a.m., and there are 12 additional tanks each containing 500 to 1,000 cubic meters of liquefied hydrocarbon in the storage area where the explosions occurred.

About 138 firefighters from Rizhao and 100 firefighters from the neighboring cities of Qingdao and Linyi, which are also in Shandong Province, have rushed to the site to help contain the fire.

Firefighters from other cities are expected to arrive later.

No casualties were reported but two firefighters have minor injuries.