Firefighters tackling huge blaze at petrochemical plant in China

Firefighters are tackling a huge blaze at a petrochemical plant in eastern China.

The fire started after an explosion wracked the plant, in Shandong province's Rizhao, at about 7.30am on Thursday, the state-run news agency Xinhua reported.

The blast was caused by an oil leak, the local fire department said in a statement on social media, adding that at least 23 trucks and 138 firefighters were sent to tackle the blaze.

Department officials said that crews battled for six hours to bring the flames under control. Two firefighters suffered minor injuries and are currently in hospital.