3 firefighters faint battling blaze at petrochemical base

Three firefighters fainted while battling a blaze after a wastewater container exploded on Friday morning in Shanghai's Jinshan District, xinmin.cn reported.

The explosion occurred at 10:36am at a petrochemical base, generating thick, black smoke, the report said.

A preliminary investigation found welders caused the blast.

The report said 66 fire trucks were at the scene and that the blaze had been extinguished by 11:56am. Aside from the firefighters who fainted, no other injuries were reported.

The container held 500 tons of light distillate oils and 5,500 tons of water polluted with sulfur.

Authorities said they are monitoring the environmental impact.