The pictures taken by People’s Daily on Friday shows firefighters were still trying to put out fires in Tianjin Blasts site. By 2:15pm Beijing time, there were still fires with smoke and smells.

A firefighter told People’s Daily that they have been fighting fires since Wednesday night and many of his comrades were suffering from blistering feet and lack of sleep.

By 3pm Friday, 44 people have been rescued from the blasts area, according to Zhou Tian, Head of the Tianjin Firefighting Police Bureau.

Over 800 officers and soldiers are still working tirelessly and at the blasts area and over 140 fire trucks are in operation, Zhou said.

So far, the death toll has risen to 56, including 21 firemen, 721 others were hospitalized, including 25 critically wounded and 33 in serious condition, according to the rescue headquarters. (Photo by Qiyu Wong, Yang Cheng/People's Daily Online)