CRI听力:Fire Raging at Fujian Chemical Plant

Fires have been raging on and off at a chemical plant in Fujian for nearly 60 hours since an initial fire on Monday night triggered an explosion at the PX plant.

Two storage tanks at the plant in Zhangzhou caught fire yesterday after the original blaze was distinguished a day earlier.

Authorities say the newest fire is now under control.

However, strong winds have been making it difficult to keep the fire contained.

Police and soldiers have helped evacuate some 29,000 people living near the plant.

"We entered villages this morning and went door to door to persuade residents to evacuate from this hazardous location. We helped old people who live alone and those who have difficulties moving around to pack their luggage and arranged vehicles for them. We also assisted them to get on the vehicles."

Those evacuated are being sheltered in schools some 15 kilometers from the plant.

Officials say no excessive pollution is being detected at the villages where the people have been moved from.

Monday's explosion occurred after an oil leak at the xylene facility caught fire. 14 people have been hospitalized.

It is the second blast at the same facility in the last 20 months.

The plant produces paraxylene, which is an industrial chemical used for making fiber and plastics.

PX plants are highly controversial in China - a number of proposed plants here in China have met with strong public opposition in recent years.