China rocked by second deadly chemical plant blast in two weeks

The explosion was caused when canisters containing a chemical used to produce nylon burst, the Shandong Fire Control Department said on its official microblog. No fatalities have been reported.

The explosion, which triggered a fire, happened around 8.50pm local time in Huantai county, Shandong province.

About 150 firefighters in 20 engines are at the scene trying to dampen the flames. According to Xinhua, some of those brigades are trained to work with fires involving chemicals.

Meanwhile, the South China Morning Post quoted a villager who said that he saw a huge fireball and then heard two explosions.

The findings will be published once all evidence has been submitted to the cabinet, the official said, adding that it was its top priority to ensure the investigation was both timely and accurate.

A 3.2km evacuation of the area surrounding the epicentre remains and locals remain reluctant to return home.

The blast follows the August . 12 chemical warehouse explosion in Tianjin, a port east of Beijing.

Windows shattered in the village where the blast occurred, state media said, and tremors reverberated within 2 kilometres (1 mile) of the site of the explosion.

The warehouse, operated by Ruihai worldwide Logistics Company, was storing about 40 substances, including 500 tons of flammable materials and 700 tons of highly toxic substances, mainly sodium cyanide, Xinhua reported.