Falling ashes killed two cement plant workers and injured three others on Sunday in northwest China's Shaanxi province.

The five, employees of Wudangshan Cement Plant in Dakong township of Pucheng county, were burning cement when ashes fell off the hearth and lit their clothes on fire around 8:00 a.m. on Sunday, according to local government sources. They were rushed tothe county hospital, but two workers died despite all-out rescue efforts from the medical staff.

One of the three injured workers, who suffered from 80 percent burns, is now in a critical condition. The other two survivors received minor burns.

Local government departments have sent a team of investigators to the plant.

Source: Xinhua