Woolwich Online: Update On China Factory Fire As At Least 50 Dead As Huge Warehouse Blasts Hit Chinese Port

by Benson Agoha | International

The scale of devastation has emerged as a fire outbreak killed at least 50 people, including 12 fire fighters. And according to the Chinese Central Television CCTV, 701 people were also injured in the inferno, with 71 in serious condition.

More than 1,000 were sent in to put it out. Twelve of those died in the fire. And by afternoon, 217 troops from China’s NBC emergency rescue force had to join the rescue efforts in Tianjin. The troops also included the Chemical defense troops which were dispatched to Tianjin for rescue operations.

Destroyed complex

The blaze, which started in a warehouse quickly spread to other buildings, destroying cars killing several and injuring hundreds.

The incident occurred when explosions rocked the vicinity shortly before midnight Wednesday, sending out massive fireballs that turned the night sky into day and shattered windows several kilometers away, according to a report by AP. By 6.30am, pockets of fire and smoke could still be seen in some parts of the burnt complex.

Residents of Tianjin described how they felt as the fire broke out, with one saying he thought it was an earthquake.

Zhang Siyu, whose home is several kilometers (miles) from the blast site said "I thought it was an earthquake, so I rushed downstairs without my shoes on," adding "Only once I was outside did I realize it was an explosion. There was the huge fireball in the sky with thick clouds. Everybody could see it."

Zhang said she could see wounded people weeping. She said she did not see anyone who had been killed, but "I could feel death."

Survivors were desperate to establish contact with loved ones. One of them was down to a singlet and was seen with phone close to his ear. Another had bandages attached to his scalp as he made his way through safer streets.

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