AT least one person was killed in a large fire at a chemical plant in Shanghai that shot clouds of smoke across the city today, reported state media.

The blaze at the Sinopec Shanghai Petrochemical Co plant in Jinshan broke out about 4am, but was brought under control later, according to Xinhua.

“The fire at the scene has been effectively brought under control and protective burning is currently being carried out.

“According to our initial understanding, the fire has already caused one death.”

The blaze erupted as Shanghai – the industrial engine and most populous city in China – gingerly resumes business after being sealed off for two months to counter a coronavirus outbreak driven by the Omicron variant.

Though the lockdown was lifted at the beginning of this month, the snarling of supply chains and shutting of factories continue to have far-reaching consequences for the global economy.

Residents as far as 6km away heard the early-morning explosion at the petrochemical plant, according to local media.

Videos on social media show a large cloud of fire and ash billowing upwards.

In one aerial video, three fires can be seen in separate buildings.

The Shanghai Fire Department said it immediately despatched more than 500 personnel at 4:28am.

The Emergency Management Ministry also despatched an expert group to the scene, reported CCTV.

However, reports have not stated a possible cause of the fire. – AFP, June 18, 2022.