Fire damages China power plant

A power plant in the Chinese capital has been damaged in a fire caused by an explosion in the generator unit.

No casualties were reported.

The blast occurred at a generating unit of the plant yesterday, when the hydrogen used for cooling and the oil in operation triggered the explosion.

It led to the shutdown of all the four units, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

Local police said their helicopters noticed smoke coming from the thermal power plant in Chaoyang District during routine patrol.

They dispatched rescuers and 91 fire engines to the site.

The plant was put into operation in 1999.