WUHAN - Two explosions ripped through a factory in central China's Hubei Province Wednesday, injuring eight people, including two news reporters, local authorities said.

Two explosions ripped through a plastics factory in central China's Hubei Province，May 23, 2012, leaving eight people injured, and sending a large plume of smoke rising into the sky.[Photo/Xinhua]

The first explosion took place at 10 am at a plastics factory in Xiannu township in the city of Zhijiang, injuring six workers, an officer from the city's fire department said.

A fire broke out following the first explosion, with a second explosion occurring at 11:30 am, injuring two reporters who entered the premises without receiving permission from firefighters, the officer said.

The fire was extinguished by 11:50 am.

The injured have been taken to a local hospital for treatment. Their condition is not yet known.

The cause of the accident is under investigation.