3 dead, 149 injured in restaurant fire, blast

Photo taken on June 19, 2013 shows the accident scene after blasts ripped through a restaurant in Shuozhou, North China's Shanxi Province. The accident occurred at around 9:20 pm. [Photo: CNS/Wei Liang]

A fire and a subsequent blast ripping through a restaurant in north China's Shanxi Province Wednesday night has left at least three people dead and 149 others injured, including 19 who were critically injured, according to local authorities.

A fire erupted in a new restaurant in the economic development zone of Shuozhou City around 9:30 p.m., then a blast occurred while firefighters were working in the restaurant, an official with the rescue headquarters of Shuozhou said.

Three trucks from the local fire-fighting brigade were damaged, according to a Xinhua reporter at the scene.

The two-story building housing the restaurant showed signs of having caught fire, and glass from nearby buildings was scattered on the street.

As of 4 a.m. Thursday, rescue work had concluded.

Further investigation is under way.