MANILA: At least six people were killed and more than 40 injured in an explosion yesterday that rocked a firecracker factory just outside the Philippine capital, local officials and police said.
 The blast occurred inside the Starmaker Fireworks factory in the village of Conchu in Trece Martires City in Cavite province, 25km south of Manila, Mayor Melencio de Sagun said.
Trece Martires’ police chief, Superintendent Reynaldo Galam, said at least two of the injured were in critical condition because more than 70% of their bodies were severely burned.
Alvin Mojica, vice mayor of Trece Martires, said 43 people were injured in the explosion.
Mojica said thick smoke slowed down firefighters’ efforts to enter the factory, which was levelled.
The explosion was so powerful that it destroyed the sprawling factory and glass panels of houses within a 3km radius were shattered, Mojica said.
Classes in area elementary and high schools were suspended because of the accident.
Police have not yet established the cause of the blast at the factory, which had manufactured fireworks for two decades. The company is a known maker of quality fireworks, and its products were exported to other countries.-DPA