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Three firefighters killed in Shanghai plant fire

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-07-17 19:29

SHANGHAI  -- Three firefighters were crushed to death by an overhead beam while attempting to put out a fire at a plastic packaging factory on Thursday in Shanghai. Nine other firefighters were injured.

The blaze broke out at around 12:20 p.m. in the storehouses of Rexam Plastic Packaging (Shanghai) Co. Ltd. in Fengxian District, according to the municipal firefighting and work safety departments.

At 2:05 p.m., a major support beam, thought to have structural flaws, suddenly fell and crushed many fire fighters. Three died at the scene, while nine others were injured.

More than 300 firefighters had contained the fire around 6 p.m. but were still extinguishing the remaining flames.

The injured firefighters were being treated in hospitals and were not in any danger, doctors said.

Residents within 200 meters from the plant in southwest Shanghai had been evacuated.

The city's environment authorities were also at the site to monitor the air quality as the smoke from the burning plastic materials could be harmful.

Britain-based Rexam is one of the world's largest consumer packaging groups and a leading beverage can maker. Its Shanghai company was established in 1992.