2 dead, 15 injured in explosion at Brazilian fireworks store

Earlier reports said at least 11 people were killed and 10 people were injured in a powerful blast, which destroyed the facility and a number of cars parked nearby, and seriously damaged the nearby houses.

Some 170 rescue workers are at the scene trying to locate at least two people in the debris, who are believed to be missing, while some 15 firefighting units are involved in tackling the blaze.

Police have cordoned off the blast area and evacuated residents in the four-block radius.

According to some media reports local residents have complained on several occasions about the existence of a facility with explosive materials in the middle of a residential area but authorities have not taken any proper measures to ensure their safety.

See www.en.rian.ru