Chinese firecracker explosion kills five in early hours of Lunar New Year
- Shop owner detained on suspicion of causing illegally stored fireworks to explode
- Authorities have started cracking down on traditional practice due to the number of deaths and injuries caused by fireworks each year
Five people have died in an explosion caused by firecrackers in southern China in the early hours of Lunar New Year.
The explosion happened at around 2am on Tuesday in Rongan county in the southern region of Guangxi outside a shop which was suspected of illegally storing and selling the explosives, Xinhua news agency reported.
The explosion started a fire that spread to four neighbouring households, killing five people and forcing 14 others to evacuate their homes.
The fire was put out by 5am and the shop owner, a man surnamed Zhang, was arrested by the police on suspicion of causing the explosion, according to the report.
The county authorities called an urgent meeting in the morning involving local police and fire services to target illegal firecrackers, the report continued.
Traditionally Chinese people stay up until midnight on Lunar New Year Eve after their family reunion dinner and set off firecrackers with fuses wrapped in red paper casings to scare away evil spirits and celebrate the festival.
