21 Jun 2013

Two dead after fireworks factory blaze

3:54 pm on 21 June 2013

Police in the Canadian province of Quebec say two people have been found dead after an explosion destroyed a fireworks factory.

The blast at the BEM Fireworks plants in Coteau-du-Lac, about 50 kilometres west of Montreal, was followed by a fire and further explosions.

Images from the scene showed a plume of black smoke and exploding fireworks visible from several kilometres away.

Witnesses say the initial explosion rattled the entire area and one building was reduced to rubble.