Four people were killed on Tuesday in a chemical factory blast in east China's Zhejiang Province, the local government said.

The explosion occurred around 5:30 a.m. at the Boyang Chemical Company in Wuyi County. The fire, which was triggered by the explosion, was extinguished at around 9:30 a.m.

The factory produces dimethyl silicone, a toxic chemical.

The local safety watchdog said the explosion had not caused any environmental damage so far.

No other details were immediately available. The cause of the accident was under investigation.

(Xinhua News Agency January 16, 2008)