Two oil tanks went off in a gas station in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, north China on Saturday, firefighters said.

The blast took place at about 9 AM in the northern suburb of Dalad Banner, triggering huge fire.

The prefecture is more than 200 kilometers southwest of Hohhot, capital of Inner Mongolia.

Heavy smoke was seen blanketing the sky.

The oil tanks were completely burnt down and part of the roof of the gas station was ruined.

The owner of the privately-owned Wanxin gas station and the drivers had escaped when firefighters rushed to the site at about 10 a.m., said Zhang Guangjie, head of the local firefighting unit.

The blaze was put under control.There has been no report of casualties in the accident.

Firemen were taking emergency measures to protect the underground oil tank to avoid further explosions.

The station remained cordoned off as of noon.

No more information was available so far.

(Xinhua News Agency December 20, 2008)