Dozens dead in horror fire at chemical plant as rescuers search for missing

A huge fire swept through a chemical and electrical company in China's Henan province, killing at least 36 people and search teams are now looking for the missing

A massive fire has broken out at a chemical factory in China

At least 36 people have been killed in a massive fire at a chemical and electrical plant in China, with rescue teams searching for missing people.

Footage shows a roaring orange fire with people watching on the street at the scene in central China's Henan province.

Two people were also injured and two are missing, the local government of part of Anyang city said in a statement on Tuesday.

Fire services rushed to the scene after receiving a report of the fire from Kaixinda Trading Company at 4:22 p.m. local time, CCTV news reported.

There were 240 firefighters battling the blaze with 63 vehicles and by 11 p.m. it had been extinguished.

There were 240 firefighters battling the blaze in Henan Province

And the Wenfang district government confirmed that it took several hours to extinguish the fire.

Rescue teams are now trying to locate the missing persons.

Wang Xiangxi, China's Minister of Emergency Management, has communicated with authorities at the scene and an investigation is also underway into the cause of the fire, CCTV reported.

No word was given on the cause of the fire or the number of employees killed, although China has a history of industrial accidents caused by a lack of compliance with safety measures fueled by a increasing competition and encouraged by corruption among officials.

Poor storage conditions, locked exits and lack of firefighting equipment are often cited as direct causes.