CHANGSHA - Five people were confirmed dead and one was seriously injured in a fire that broke out at a barium nitrate plant in Central China's Hunan province early on Tuesday, local authorities said.

The fire happened at around 5:30 am at Xinhuang Luxiang Barium Industry Co Ltd, in Fangjiatun township of Huaihua city.

Preliminary investigations showed the fire was ignited when factory workers were repairing a machine, which seriously injured six workers. Five died after medical treatment failed. Doctors are still treating the remaining one who was also severely injured.

Further investigation is under way.

A string of accidents involving work safety has struck the country recently.

One day ago, at least 13 people have been confirmed dead and one more remained missing after an explosion at a firework plant in Hunan.