Explosion hits Germany's old chemical company building: media

A huge explosion on Tuesday evening hit an old company building of the German chemistry company Bergolin in the small town of Ritterhude in the northern German state of Lower Saxony, local media reported

The company building was destroyed in the explosion that occurred at about 8:50 p.m. local time, causing billows of dense black smoke in the area, which is about 18 km north of Bremen, said the local newspaper Weser Kurier.

The newspaper quoted local residents as saying that the violent explosion severely damaged neighboring buildings, besides shattering doors and windows.

The online edition of the German mass-circulation Bild newspaper quoted a local firefighter spokesman as saying that it might be an explosion of aceton which was used as a solvent in the painting factory. The spokesman however could not confirm earlier reports of several minor injuries.

Eyewitnesses said a large contingent of police and rescue workers were on the scene. Residents have been advised to close their windows and doors.