Authorities in east China's Shandong Province confirmed Thursday the owner of a logistics service had been put under police surveillance for a chemical explosion which killed 18 people Wednesday.

A photo taken on early Thursday, September 3, 2009 shows the scene of a chemical explosion in Lanshan District, Linyi, east China's Shandong Province. [Xinhua]

An investigation into the chemical explosion is under way, and keeping Lin Huaqing, owner of Yunheng Logistics Service Center, at hand is to help that investigation, said a spokesman for Linyi City Police in Shandong, Thursday.

An explosion took place about 4 p.m. Wednesday as workers from Lin's company were unloading a lacquer-curing agent from a truck at Jinlan Logistics Town in Lanshan District, Linyi. Lin's company is based inside Jinlan Logistics Town.

A total of seven people died at the scene and 11 others died of injuries in hospital. Ten more were injured in the accident and sent to hospital. Most of the victims were said to be personnel working at Jinlan.

The main ingredients of the lacquer curing agent are xylene and butyl acetate, both inflammable and poisonous.

An ensuing fire caused by the explosion was put out by 4:30 p.m.. Altogether 26 fire engines and 91 firefighters were sent to the scene.

(Xinhua News Agency September 3, 2009)