(dpa) - A massive fire broke out Wednesday at a fireworks warehouse in one of Dubai's industrial areas, killing at least two people and injuring another two, official sources said.
In the early hours of Wednesday, heavy black smoke was seen billowing into the sky over Dubai, as explosions were heard in a fireworks storage facility located in al-Qowz industrial zone.
Fire engines and ambulances hurried to the blast, which started in one storage unit and then extended to some 82 nearby warehouses.
The explosion left two people dead and another two with serious injuries, medical sources and officials told Deutsche Presse-Agentur dpa.
The storehouse included illegal fireworks that were banned from entering the country, Dubai's Deputy Interior Minister Seif al- Shaafar told dpa.
"These fireworks are dangerous and some people have tried to cross them into the (United Arab) Emirates illegally," he said, adding that authorities are investigating those responsible for the blast.
The causes of the fire are still unconfirmed, but an official told dpa that there were signs of an electrical malfunction that might have caused the fire.
In April 2007, a similar blast occurred in Ajman emirate. It was caused by the destruction of some fireworks that were confiscated by authorities from traders. The explosion killed two workers and wounded two police officers.