Tianhui town is in China’s Sichuan Province.

Speaking to reporters PetroChina Sichuan Sales Branch Official Wu Zhenggang said, “The depot exploded when workers were offloading an oil train at about 10.00 am due to a high density of flammable gases at the site.”

“Six workers were injured in the ensuing fire. Of them, one was seriously burned and hospitalised in the city, remaining in danger, and two others were slightly wounded.

“The place where the oil first leaked has not yet been pinpointed, and the accident is being investigated,” added Wu.

Various reports in the local media indicated nine teams of firefighters were sent in to extinguish the fire. The emergency services are also trying to reduce the site temperature and the density of airborne oil molecules to prevent any further accidental detonations.

The depot, with a total capacity of 170,000 tons, is the largest of its type in south west China.