Two people died in a fire at a petrochemical firm in Xinmin City, in northeast China's Liaoning Province, on Friday.

According to officials with the local work safety bureau, the fire broke out at around 10 a.m. and was under control by midday.

The Xinmin petrochemical plant is located in an urban area of Xinmin City, 60 kilometers from Shenyang, capital of Liaoning Province.

The officials gave no further details about the fire and an investigation is underway.

On Wednesday, an explosion triggered by a fire occurred at an illegally-run oil refinery in Shenyang, leaving four dead and 12 injured.

The Shenyang city government convened an urgent meeting on Wednesday, reiterating its intention to close down all the illegal chemical plants or refineries in the city.

(Xinhua News Agency December 23, 2006)