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One injured in east China apartment explosion

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-10-23 13:40

HEFEI: One home owner was seriously injured in an explosion in an apartment building in Hefei, capital of east China's Anhui Province, early Friday, police said.

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The accident happened at around 5:00 am at a downtown community on Beiyihuan Road. The injured was under emergency treatment at hospital.

The blast affected several homes, damaging their walls and balconies and smashing dozens of windows, Xinhua reporters saw at the site.

It was followed by a fire that lasted for half an hour.

A witness said several people got injured while trying to escape. But local police said only one got injured in the blast.

Initial investigation showed the accident was caused by the explosion of the natural gas pipeline.

Police cordoned off the building and banned people from entering. Hundreds of residents were evacuated and community workers were clearing the debris.