Chinese Officials Deny Explosion During Plant Fire

Despite video from multiple angles showing a massive fireball accompanied by thunderous noise, officials in Lianyungang, China, continue to deny that the emergency at a local chemical plant Tuesday night was an explosion.

Shortly after 9 p.m. the blast at Lianyungang Hongxing Grinding Materials, a silicon carbide plant, momentarily illuminated the city in blinding light, sending stunned spectators fleeing.

The local newspaper states that the fire is under investigation and the person in charge of the facility has been arrested.

Video also shows a line of emergency vehicles heading for the plant.

Published press accounts state that eight workers were on duty at the time of the fire but no casualties were reported.