14 killed in explosion at fireworks factory

A massive explosion at a fireworks factory in central Thailand today killed 14 people, including a four-year-old boy, and injured two others, a police official said.

About 20 workers were at the Boonlue fireworks factory in the ancient Thai capital of Ayuthaya when the blast occurred Sunday afternoon, causing the building’s roof to collapse, police Maj. Gen. Wanchai Thanakit said. The two injured workers were hospitalised.

The factory was operating illegally - its license was revoked last year following an earlier explosion, he told reporters.

Police are investigating the cause of the accident, Wanchai said.

Ayuthaya is about 44 miles north of Bangkok.