HELSINKI, July 10 (Xinhua) -- More than 2,000 residents were evacuated in central Finland early Wednesday as a container in the nearby gunpowder plant was said to be in danger, Finnish media reported.
The waste container, where smoke was seen arising since in the morning, was situated in the compound of Eurenco Vihtavuori gunpowder plant in Lautaa, a small town in central Finland.
According to Finnish Broadcasting Company YLE, the unidentified substance in the container was believed to have caused a chemical reaction, posing danger at an equipment producing explosives used in mining and blasting.
Local authority said the total explosive in storage roughly amount to 110 tons of TNT. The reason why the explosive substance has been put in an improper storage is not known so far.
The local rescue department posted a warning notice on YLE's website that an explosion would possibly happen at any time.
The police quickly took precautionary measures, including the evacuation of about 2,100 residents, restriction of traffic and closure of several roads passing through the dangerous area.
A bomb disposal robot from the military was put in use,investigating the ongoing chemical reaction as well as the temperature in the waste container.
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