Explosions Rock Chemical Plant in India

One post to Twitter described the sound of explosions issuing from a burning chemical plant in Dombivli, India Tuesday afternoon as being "deafening, like thunder."

Fire broke out at Metropolitan Exchimchem at about 12:45 p.m., authorities said. The plant, located in an industrial park 40 miles northwest of Mumbai, specializes in sulfonated organic materials widely used in acid-catalyzed processes such as dyes, pigments, pharmaceuticals, and plastics.

Spread of the fire followed a series of explosions the plant, fire officials said. Four fire tenders immediately rushed to the scene and engaged the fire.

No loss of life has been reported. A cause for the explosions and fire has not been established.