Accidental China restaurant explosion kills at least 17

A liquefied gas container exploded in a restaurant in eastern China at lunchtime on Saturday, causing a fire and killing 17 people, according to a local authority.

Photo shows the scene after the gas explosion accident in Jinghu district of Wuhu, East China’s Anhui province, October 10, 2015. Three others including a father-son duo were also killed in the explosion.

The fire and explosion occurred at noon on Saturday in the restaurant on Yangjia alley, a popular snack street in the old town of Wuhu City, about 350 kilometers west of Shanghai.

Officials say numerous victims died of carbon monoxide poisoning.

The restaurant, covering an area of more than 30 square meters, is located on the first floor of a six-story building in Yangjia lane.

The owner, Zhang Baoping, a 38-year-old man from Anhui’s Hanshan County, has been put under police investigation.

The fire was put out in about half an hour.