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Petroleum tanker explosion kills one person

Jul 10, 2017

One person has been killed, after a petroleum tanker exploded in Bintulu, Sarawak earlier today. 

As many as five other vehicles are also believed to have been destroyed in the incident. 

The cause of the explosion is still unknown.

The incident comes just as the Fire and Rescue Department said its concerned about the rise in the number of chemical-related accidents and fires nationwide.

It says there've been nearly 1,300 such cases reported in the first half of this year alone, compared to an average of only 500 in the early 2000's. 

The department adds that most of the recent cases were caused by petroleum products like petrol and diesel. 

Separately, over in the UK, firefighters say a large blaze at London's Camden Market has been brought under control. 

The cause of the blaze is still unknown, and the public have been urged to avoid the popular tourist spot.

So far, there doesn't appear to have been any casualties.