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Tianjin warehouse explosion 2015
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Homeless rest at a centre set up for residents evacuated from their homes in Tianjin. Photo: Xinhua

Update | Tianjin's homeless look for shelter as troops trained in chemical warfare enter blast site

Eighteen hours after the devastating blasts at a dangerous-goods warehouse that have killed at least 56 people in Tianjin , Ma Yingbo and his pregnant wife sat at the gate of their apartment complex.

They had packed three bags and were waiting for a friend to pick them up.

"It's all empty now," said Ma, as a curtain fluttered out of a broken window behind him.

"I don't know when we can move back. I don't know what to expect, but we cannot live here now. My wife is pregnant and we don't know what's in the air."

READ MORE: China hit by explosion at second factory - less than 24 hours after deadly blast in Tianjin

State television footage yesterday morning showed grey and white smoke continuing to billow from the blast site.

Few flames were visible and wind had helped disperse smoke into Bohai Bay.

Troops trained in chemical warfare have entered the site to check what chemicals remain and to identify any hazardous substances.

A screen grab from state television showing the devastation near the dangerous goods warehouse. Photo: SCMP Pictures

Authorities were considering whether to send teams into the core of the blast site today to remove remaining hazardous materials in the warehouse.

The environmental ministry has found traces of cyanides and other chemicals three to eight times safety limits in two underground drainage systems, state television said.

Like many others, Ma was not told when he bought his flat that a warehouse storing dangerous chemicals and materials would be operating about 3km away.

An environmental evaluation report last year said a fire or blast at the warehouse operated by Ruihai International Logistics would not have a major impact on the surrounding area.

The Beijing News reported that Ruihai's licence issued in 2012 did not include the storage of dangerous materials and that it was added to the permit last year.

Read more: Environmental report for Tianjin dangerous goods depot

One of the residential complexes closest to the blast site was developed by Vanke Group.

Group chairman Wang Shi said on Thursday two of the company's complexes were damaged and some of the residents injured. One compound was 600 metres from the warehouse.

Vanke told mainland media that when it bought the land for the home projects, the company was told the warehouse was for regular goods. The group did not know when it became a storage site for dangerous chemicals.The group did not know when the warehouse became a storage site for dangerous chemicals.

Several security guards in the area where Ma and his wife lived said water had been cut to homes near the blast site but the power was still on. Lights were on in many flats, but no one was home.

“Those were left on last night,” a security guard said. “No one had time to turn off the lights.”

Ma and his wife were fortunate compared with some as they at least had a friend to stay with as the city coped with the disaster.

One man walking along an empty street near the blast zone was still looking for shelter in the city's sweltering temperatures.

"I don't know where to stay tonight," he said. "It was too hot in the tent. I can't stay there."

This article appeared in the South China Morning Post print edition as: Homeless seek shelter as troops trained in chemical warfare arrive
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