TAIYUAN - One person was killed, eight people were injured, including one in critical condition, in a series of explosions Wednesday morning in Taiyuan city, North China's Shanxi province, the province's official news website sxgov.cn reported.

The blasts took place at around 7:40 am in front of the office building of the Shanxi Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China on the Yingze Street, according to the city's public security bureau.

A big bang was heard and heavy smoke and flames were seen when Liu Guoliang, a witness, was driving from west to east on the Yingze overpass.

Liu saw a minivan blasted with heavy smoke and spread a lot of debris at the scene when he waited for traffic lights in front of the office building.

The accident is suspected to be caused by self-made bombs as steel beads were scattered at the scene, according to a Xinhua reporter.

The site of accident has been cordoned. Police are investigating the case.

Photo taken on Nov. 6, 2013 shows the accident site after explosions on the Yingze Street in Taiyuan, capital of North China' Shanxi province. [Photo/Xinhua]