Huge Fireball Erupts From Burning Chemicals Lorry

Story ByJohn FengSub EditorJoseph GolderAgencyAsia Wire Report

Video Credit: AsiaWire

This is the moment a huge fireball erupts from a burning tanker lorry packed with chemicals as firefighters battle to put out the blaze.

Authorities in the city of Yulin in China’s north-western Shaanxi Province said no fewer than 21 fire engines and 120 firefighters were sent to the scene at 15:36 local time on 23rd April.

The blaze began inside a car park as the lorry carrying reportedly “hazardous chemicals” caught fire and thick, black smoke was seen rising from the vehicle’s undercarriage.

Pictures Credit: AsiaWire

Rescuers who arrived to put out the fire and witnesses who gathered around to film it were then sent reeling backwards and ducking for cover when the supposedly airtight tank suddenly exploded.

Footage shows the blast creating a massive fireball like a bomb going off.

The fire service said the explosion was heard “far away” and rocked the ground like an earthquake.

Some 240 tonnes of water and 49 tonnes of foam was used to tackle the blaze, which was put out several hours later.

The authorities said no one was injured during the accident, with the driver of the tanker lorry thought to have evacuated when the fire started.

The cause of the blaze is still under investigation.