Explosion rocks German chemical park

Berlin, March 31 (IANS) A huge explosion Saturday rocked a chemical industrial park in Marl in western Germany in which several people were injured, Xinhua reported.

The accident in the park in Ruhr industrial region sent up a giant gas cloud, which was spreading over a major highway, police said.

More than 100 firefighters reached the site to extinguish the fire which was caused by liquefied petroleum gas and other liquefied hydrocarbons, Peter Blomtrath, a senior officer in the local fire-fighting unit, was quoted by the Bild newspaper as saying.

Several people suffered from severe burn injuries, police said.

Rescue helicopters and paramedics arrived at the site for the rescue operation.

Residents were asked to remain inside and keep windows and doors closed.