At least 14 killed in factory blast

At least 14 killed in factory blast

THAILAND: At least 14 people were killed and two injured in an explosion on Sunday at a fireworks factory at Thailand's ancient capital Ayuthaya, officials said.

Authorities were still unsure what caused the blast at the Boon-Leur fireworks factory about 3 p.m. (3 p.m. in Jakarta) in Ayuthaya, just north of the Thai capital Bangkok, a district official said.

"What we do know is this factory's license ran out 10 years ago and it was illegally producing fireworks," Kamnueng Isaro told state radio.

Ayuthaya police spokesman Wanchai Tanadkit said the blast completely destroyed the 200 square-meter building housing the fireworks operation. "I believe it was most likely carelessness which caused this explosion," he said, adding it had also damaged houses about 200 metres away from the factory.

He said no one outside the factory had been injured by the blast. -- AFP