The explosion occurred just minutes before noon on Tuesday, shaking part of a chemical plant run by Shandong Youdao Chemicals in Weifan city, Reuters reported.
The video, circulating on social media in China and verified by Reuters, made orange and black smoke appear to be swirling through the sky. The windows of a nearby building were torn from the hinge by an explosion, one of the videos shows.
More than 200 paramedics responded to the explosion, according to a statement issued by China’s emergency response agency on Tuesday afternoon.
A drone video posted by Beijing News, a government-run publication, showed smoke emerged from a chemical plant and a second unidentified facility nearby.
Baidu Maps, a navigation app, shows you other manufacturing companies next to the Youdao factory. This includes textile companies, machinery companies and companies that manufacture industrial coating materials.
The Wyfan Ecology Environment Agency dispatched staff to test the site for the explosion, but said there are no results available yet. According to Reuters, the department advised nearby residents to wear face masks during that time, the Beijing news reported.
MNA