1 Dead, 9 Injured As Steel Factory Goes Up In Flames

Story ByJohn FengSub EditorJoseph GolderAgencyAsia Wire Report

Video Credit: AsiaWire

This is the moment a Chinese steel factory goes up in smoke killing one before videos of the fatal blaze go viral on social media.

The dramatic images come as officials report one person has died and nine others are injured following the accident in Nanchang’s Qingshanhu District in East China’s Jiangxi Province.

The location of the fire, which started after a large explosion was seen and heard at 4:23 pm local time today (29th May), has been confirmed No 2 coking plant belonging to Fangda Special Steel Technology Co Ltd.

Pictures Credit: AsiaWire

A gas pipe in the plant’s blast furnace is believed to have sprung a leak, causing the blast and the deadly fire that followed.

Various social media videos with millions of views and climbing show numerous residents watching the flames and dark smoke from all around the district home to 670,000 inhabitants.

The Jiangxi Province Emergency Management Office has yet to release further information about the victims, including whether or not they were all workers at the steel plant.

Meanwhile, the a 5:52 pm statement by the Nanchang fire service said it had already put out the fire with the help of 10 fire engines and 65 rescuers from four different detachments.

The Fangda Group, which owns and operates the steel plant, has yet to release a statement regarding the incident, which is still under investigation.