Fire blazes after Dalian oil pipe rupture

A fire caused by an oil pipeline rupture in Jinzhou Development Zone in Dalian, Liaoning province Monday night has sent people fleeing from the area, local media reported.

A large amount of oil was reported gushing out of the ruptured pipeline.

More than 20 firetrucks were dispatched to put out the fire. Firefighters tried to contain the fire by sealing it up with sand and foam.

According to China Central Television, the oil spill flowed along the pipeline to other areas, causing fire to break out in many places.

Local Net users who posted photos of the fire on the Internet claimed that the Jinzhou Development Zone was engulfed by fire and urged nearby residents to evacuate immediately.

Some local residents reported online that highways leading to the development zone were shut down by police.

The pipeline, which belonged to China National Petroleum Corporation, was suspected to have been damaged by nearby construction work.

Although the rupture of the pipeline occurred at around 7 pm, the fire was not extinguished as of midnight.

Local residents also suspected damage to sewage pipes due to the fire.