Two people were critically injured while six others sustained light injuries when a factory processing acetylene gas in Serian caught fire and exploded at about 4pm today.

The explosion caused the factory building to collapse to the ground.

According to a Serian Fire and Rescue station personnel, the fire had been completely put out but efforts were being carried out to search for more victims under the rubble.

He said as at 9pm, the Fire and Rescue team had pulled out eight workers from the factory.   

“The victims were rushed to Serian Hospital for treatment, in which two were critically hurt while six others suffered light injuries,” he said.

Apart from the destruction of the factory, several nearby buildings, including a petrol station and several cars were also damaged.

- Bernama