An explosion has been reported at a chemical plant in China’s eastern province of Shandong.
Large flames could be seen from the site after the blast in the city of Zibo. Nine people are reported injured.
The People’s Daily said a warehouse at the Runxing chemical plant exploded. There is a residential area about 1km from the plant.
Earlier this month blasts involving chemicals in the northern city of Tianjin killed at least 121 people.
Hundreds were injured there and 54 remain missing.
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.
The paper said that the fire had been brought under control by late on Saturday night.
It is not yet clear if homes in the area have been damaged.
