Society

Hospital construction site blast in NW China

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2011-04-19 19:17

LANZHOU - Two people were killed and seven others injured in a gas blast at a hospital construction site in downtown Lanzhou, the capital city of Northwest China's Gansu province Tuesday afternoon, said local firemen.

A mixture of liquefied petroleum gas and oxygen leaked from tanks and was ignited by sparks thrown up from the cutting of steel bars at the site where workers were demolishing the outpatient service building of the No 2 Hospital affiliated to Lanzhou University at 4:20 pm, said Zhang Wei, a fireman at the scene.

Roughly 20 tanks remain intact at the site, with firemen spraying water on them, said Zhang.

The explosion caused damages to the nearby first aid center building of the hospital.

Police are investigating the incident.