Chemical depot on fire, 7000 evacuated

Winny Wang Via ShanghaiDaily

2006-05-11

MORE than 7,000 residents in Guangzhou were evacuated from their homes and schools yesterday evening, because a nearby chemical depot was on fire, Xinhua news agency reported today.

The warehouse, near Daguan Road in Tianhe District, caught fire because of leaking chemicals -- sodium hydrosulfite -- which is stored in the depot.

The fire and chemicals from the plant have polluted the nearby environment.

About 6,000 out of the 7,000 evacuees were students from nearby schools, 49 people were sent to the hospital, but no serious injuries were reported.

The local environmental department is currently inspecting the air quality at the scene.