Workers suffer severe burns as truck explodes in flames during refueling

Three petroleum depot workers are fighting for their lives after being rescued from the flames of a burning tanker.

Wang Guanxin, a 33-year-old truck driver, and watchmen Tian Baizhi, 62, and Zhao Liansheng, 58, were pulled to safety as firefighters battled the blaze in Fangshan district for more than two hours. All three men are in critical condition.

Zhao, who received third-degree burns to 70 percent of his body, is scheduled to undergo skin graft surgery at Fengtai You'an Hospital on Monday, said Wang Kai, a press officer with the district fire and rescue service.

Authorities are still investigating how the blaze started, although Wang said the likely cause was depot staff failing to observe safety precautions.

Zhang Shucheng, 56, was working on Saturday night when the fire broke out at the depot, which stores 4,000 tons of petroleum. He said he was helping refuel the tanker at about 9 pm when he noticed oil leaking onto the floor.

Although he immediately alerted his colleagues to turn off the leaking valve, the fuel was ignited. As flames rose more than 10 meters into the air, he ran for his life.

"I even climbed over a 2-meter-high wall. I still don't know how I did that," recalled Zhang, who suffered a twisted right ankle during his escape.

Zhang Gaochao, political commissar of the municipal fire prevention bureau, who arrived at the fire 10 minutes later, said: "There are loads of petrol tanks and homes nearby. If the fire wasn't put out quickly, the consequences could have been catastrophic."

About 20 meters to the east are petrol stores housing a total of 4,000 tons of fuel, with the smallest about 300 cubic meters and largest 1,000 cubic meters. To the north and south are residential areas, with offices to the west.

Quan Bin, captain of the Chengguan area fire service, who was the first to arrive on the scene, described the truck as "a fireball". He added: "There was at least one explosion. The front of the 30-ton truck burst open and 4 tons of petrol spread everywhere."

After making sure no one was still trapped in fire, the 200-plus firefighters at the scene were divided into several groups, including one charged with trying to cool down the nearby petrol tanks to prevent further explosions and one to evacuate nearby residents.

The fire was put out by 11 pm, when crews began using sand to stop unburned petrol from reaching the sewers.

Initial investigations suggest operational errors by fueling staff, which led to the leakage of the petrol.

The burnt area covers more than 100 square meters. No residents or firefighters were injured in the accident, although the truck and one loading platform were completely destroyed.