One worker was confirmed dead and two others remained missing, after an explosion in a petrochemical plant in northeast China's Liaoning Province at 5:46 a.m. on Sunday.

The body of Wang Guiyan, a female worker at the plant, was recovered Sunday morning, according to the Funeral House in Liaoyang City.

A city government spokesman said that two more workers on duty in the plant could not be reached.

The plant's workshop had been toppled to the ground. The blast left a hole of three meters deep in the northeast corner of the plant.

A dozen firemen were continuing to extinguish ash fire in the debris.

The blast in Jianshanzi Village, Luodatai Town of Dengta City could be heard in a county 40 kilometers away. Dengta City is under the administration of Liaoyang City.

Windows on buildings near the plant were shattered, injuring many locals. At least five people suffered fractured limbs.

The blaze was brought under control at around 7:30 after more than 30 fire engines rushed to the scene, the fire brigade said.

The Dengta Jinhang Petrochemical Co. Ltd. is a privately owned company, which manufactures lubricant additives, such as antioxidants and petroleum cleaner.

The plant is just over 50 kilometers from Shenyang, capital of Liaoning. It covers about 60,000 square meters and is adjacent to big state-owned petrochemical enterprises like Liaoyang Chemical Group and Liaohe Oilfield.

(Xinhua News Agency September 14, 2008)