Dramatic video footage shows a blinding fireball towering over the city.
According to Xinhai News Agency and other local reports, the explosion took place in Tianjin's Binhai new port area at a container storage yard operated by the Tianjin branch of Ruihai International Logistics.
The yard is in a mixed-use district near several terminal facilities of the Beijiang and Dongjiang port areas, including one dedicated to chemicals and dangerous goods, as well as residential areas.
