A postdoctoral researcher was killed in an explosion that came from a laboratory inside the renowned Tsinghua University in Beijing.

The South China Morning Post reports that a fire broke out in a chemistry laboratory located on the first floor of the University's He Tian building.

Shanghai Daily reports that both teachers and students were quickly evacuated from the building after the explosion occurred. Firefighters who arrived at the scene then killed the fires.

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Witnesses who saw the incident took pictures, showing heavy amounts of smoke coming out from the second floor windows. Windows that belonged to rooms next to the lab were also reportedly shattered.

Laboratory of Tsinghua university on fire https://t.co/4O2PMYhRMR pic.twitter.com/5CY7BOVG8Q

— China.org.cn (@chinaorgcn) December 18, 2015

Authorities report that the cause of the explosion is still unknown, and investigations are ongoing to determine it. One confirmed casualty, however, is that of a postdoctoral researcher who was killed in the blast. Sputnik News reports that the number of people who were injured in the incident remains unspecified.

Sohu News reports that the explosion is believed to have happened in a location that contained chemicals. The incident occurred at around 10 a.m. local time.

Legal Evening News reported that according to a certain Tsinghua University student, an organic catalysis experiment was being held in the laboratory prior to the explosion.

Tsinghua University is currently one of China's top educational institutions, known for its excellence in academics and scientific research.

TagsResearcher Killed After Explosion at Tsinghua University Laboratory, Tsinghua University postdoctoral researcher was killed, South China Morning Post, He Tian building