1st LD: At least 10 injured in blast at chemical factory in southeastern Japan

TOKYO, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- At least 10 people were injured in an explosion at a chemical plant in the Fuji city of Shizuoka prefecture in southeastern Japan on Friday, local media quoted fire department sources as saying.

Local fire department said it received report about the explosion around 8:30 a.m. local time on Friday.

Firefighters are still working to put out the fire, while plumes of black smoke could still be seen billowing into the sky from the area, according to public broadcaster NHK.

Residents nearby the fire site have been advised to evacuate, according to the local government.

The chemical plant belongs to Arakawa Chemical Industries, Ltd., a company that manufactures and sells chemicals for paper manufacturing, resins for printing inks and adhesives among others. Enditem