Six died and four others were injured after firecrackers exploded in an illegal production plant in north China's Hebei Province, authorities said Sunday, Xinhua reported.
The blast occurred at around 5:08 p.m. Saturday in the house of Wu Wenzhong in Guzhuangying Village, Xushui County, the county government said.
Five, including Wu, died at the scene and one died while being transferred to a hospital in Baoding City. Four were hospitalized.
Witnesses said they heard a big bang and then saw a cloud of dark smoke rising. The blast destroyed the roof of Wu's house and shattered window glasses of nearby houses.
Police said an investigation showed Wu was illegally producing firecrackers.