Firefighters are battling to contain a fire and prevent explosions at a gas station in central China.

Two oil tankers carrying 20 tonnes of petrol caught fire in the city of Macheng, Hubei province, on Monday night, prompting nearly 100 firemen and 20 fire engines to rush to the scene.

Fire first broke out in a cargo truck and spread to the two tankers parked on a gas station forecourt, at about 9 p.m., according to the local fire department.

The fire also burned several shanty houses near the gas station. But the site has been safely evacuated of residents, officials said.

There is no immediate report of casualties.