Molten iron spill forces evacuation in east China, no casualties

A spillage of molten iron caused an explosion Wednesday night at a steel plant in east China's Jiangxi province, forcing homes to be evacuated of 123 residents. No casualties were reported thanks to timely evacuation, said Liu Chang'an, a senior executive at Pingxiang Steel and Iron Plant in Pingxiang city. Molten iron gushed from a furnace after its cooling device broke down at around 9:50 p.m. "The spill caused a blast and fire broke out," Liu explained. The local fire brigade sent eight fire engines to the site to extinguish the flames. Liu said the management has launched a safety overhaul of all 12 furnaces at the plant's three workshops following the incident.