Fire reignites at east China refinery

NANJING -- The fire at an oil refinery in the eastern Chinese city of Nanjing Monday had reignited hours after it was put out. But no casualties have been reported so far.

Blast rocks refinery in E China city

About 200 firefighters and 20 fire engines had been dispatched to quench the blaze, which broke out at around 12:40 pm Monday when the sulfur recovery facility at the refinery of Sinopec Yangzi Petrochemical Co. caught fire and exploded.

The Nanjing firefighting department said Tuesday morning that the fire erupted again hours after it was extinguished at 4:20 pm Monday, and is still ablaze.

The fire was fueled up again by chemical reaction of combustible material in an oil tank with fire extinguishing foam, according to the company's information office.

Environmental examination shows the explosion has caused no water contamination, but the air around the plant is still filled with a pungent odor.