A blast at a chemical plant in Jingjiang City of east China's Jiangsu Province has left at least three dead, witness and local government officials told Xinhua on Thursday.

A reactor at the chemical plant suddenly exploded at around 4:40 PM, a village resident surnamed He at Fengchan Village of Xilai Township, where the plant is located, told Xinhua via phone.

A press official of the publicity department confirmed the accident had caused at least three deaths.

Four fire-fighting vehicles arrived at the scene and are searching for survivors, according to He.

The village resident said the chemical plant is a private firm.

The cause of the accident is under investigation, according to the official.

(Xinhua News Agency August 14, 2009)