2nd LD Writethru: 1 killed, 11 injured in blast at chemical plant in central Japan

TOKYO, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- One person died and 11 others were injured in an explosion and subsequent fire at a chemical plant in central Japan on Friday, local police and fire department officials said.

Local fire department said it received report about the explosion at the chemical plant in the Fuji city of Shizuoka prefecture around 8:30 a.m. local time on Friday.

The fire left a 64-year-old man dead, 11 others injured, including three seriously hurt, according to officials.

Firefighters battled the fire, while plumes of black smoke could be seen billowing into the sky from the area, according to public broadcaster NHK.

The fire was nearly out around noon, said officials.

Some 50 residents living within 100 meters of the fire site had been advised to evacuate, according to the local government, however, the evacuation order was later lifted.

The chemical plant belongs to Arakawa Chemical Industries, Ltd., a company established in 1936 that manufactures and sells chemicals for paper manufacturing, resins for printing inks and adhesives among others. Enditem