A chemical warehouse in the Chinese port city of Tianjin erupted into flames Monday night, two months after the massive twin explosions that rocked the industrial town, killed 173 people and injured more than 800.
No casualties have been reported from the explosion, which occurred at a chemical warehouse in the Xiditou town of Beichen district, reported the Associated Press.
Officials said that the warehouse was illegally storing alcohol and other chemical materials. "The warehouse contained about 3 tons of alcohol, 1 ton of acetic acid, 800 kilograms of glycerinum, 500kg of sodium hydroxide and 500kg of potassium hydroxide," district environment protection officials said, according to official Xinhua news agency.
A preliminary investigation revealed that the company rented a private warehouse in the northern suburbs from a local in violation of rent regulations, reported CRI. "Such chemical warehouses should be registered with the government, but clearly they had failed to do so," an official said.
Police have arrested two people in connection with the blast, which were a representative of company - Tianjin Yong Sheng Fine Chemical Co Ltd - and warehouse owner, police officials said Tuesday, according to Global Times.
The explosion comes just two months after the twin blasts that took place at a chemical warehouse in Tianjin. The explosions, which was the worst industrial disaster in China's modern history, left over 170 people dead and more than 800 injured.