Dozens protest in Beirut's badly hit neighbourhood

A few dozen people held an impromptu protest in one of the streets worst hit by Tuesday's huge explosion in Beirut, demanding accountability for those responsible for the blast.

The protesters, some of whom had come to help with the cleanup of the area, demanded the fall of government and the political elite.

The blast Tuesday appeared to have been caused by an accidental fire that ignited a warehouse full of ammonium nitrate at the Beirut's port.

It killed at least 135 people, injured more than 5,000 and caused widespread destruction.

Anger is mounting against the various political factions and the country's long-serving politicians are widely seen as being hopelessly corrupt.

Lebanese officials targeted in the investigation of the massive blast that tore through Beirut sought to shift blame for the presence of explosives at the city’s port.

The head of Lebanon's customs department confirmed in an interview with LBC TV on Wednesday that officials had sent five or six letters over the years to the judiciary, asking that the ammonium nitrate be removed because of the dangers it posed.

The judiciary and the port authority could not immediately be reached for comment.

The government said that an investigation was underway and that port officials have been placed under house arrest.