2 dead in huge explosion at China restaurant, several vehicles damaged

Two people died and 26 others were injured after a suspected gas explosion at a restaurant in north China’s Hebei province on Wednesday, state media reported.

The explosion damaged the restaurant, and nearby buildings and vehicles in the vicinity.

The explosion occurred at a fried chicken shop in Yanjiao township, state-run Xinhua News Agency reported. Yanjiao township is located on the outskirts of Beijing.

According to China Central Television (CCTV), the explosion occurred at the ground floor restaurant at 7:55 am (local time). The restaurant is situated in an old residential area.

CCTV reported at 1:30 pm (local time) that two people had since died and 26 were injured. The fire has been extinguished, the report said.

Rescue workers rushed to the scene, with the local Langfang fire department saying 36 emergency vehicles and 154 personnel had been dispatched, news agency AFP reported.

Videos posted on social media showed vehicles on fire and thick plumes of smoke engulfing the area, with a group of people at the site and seeking help.

A video on social media showed that the glass of nearby buildings was shattered due to the explosion, according to CCTV.

Another video appeared to show a building that had completely collapsed, AFP reported.

Eyewitnesses said they heard a “big bang” at the time of the explosion.

“I heard a great big bang, which scared me stiff,” a seller at a local market told AFP.

A merchant working at a nearby store told state-run Jimu News she had been in her shop when she heard a loud noise.

She said she ran out of her store and saw a building on fire. She added that “the whole building was virtually destroyed”.

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