BEIJING, Feb 18 — Twelve people died on Wednesday after an explosion and fire tore through a firecracker shop in central China’s Hubei province, destroying about 164 square feet of the store, state broadcaster China Central Television reported.
The blast happened at an unnamed retailer in the city of Xiangyang, according to the report. Authorities are still investigating what caused the explosion.
Video verified by Reuters showed thick black smoke pouring from a charred, low-rise storefront after the incident.
Accidents involving pyrotechnics occur periodically in China, where firecrackers are widely used during celebrations such as the Lunar New Year holiday, which began Tuesday. In June, a fireworks factory explosion in neighboring Hunan left nine people dead and 26 injured.
While some Chinese cities have imposed fireworks bans over safety and air-quality concerns, the restrictions remain contentious because firecrackers—traditionally believed to ward off evil spirits—are a longstanding part of Lunar New Year festivities.