Explosion hits chemical plant in E China

FUZHOU - A flash fire followed by an explosion erupted at a paraxylene (PX) plant in East China's Fujian province early Tuesday morning, according to authorities in Zhangpu county.

The fire that erupted at 4:35 am has been brought under control. No casualties have been reported, according to the county government.

The controversial chemical plant was built in 2009 on Gulei Peninsula after the project was called off in the coastal city of Xiamen amid protests over potential pollution and health problems.

A Zhangpu county government spokesman said an initial investigation found that a cracked hydrogen pipeline triggered the fire during a pressure test.

He said the blast did not heavily damage the plant, nor has it resulted in any chemical leaks.

However, windows on a number of residences near the plant were shattered in the explosion.