Five killed in N. China fireworks blast

Five people were killed in a fireworks blast in north China's Hebei Province on Monday morning, local authorities have announced.

The accident occurred at around 11 a.m. in the village of Jianzhuangzi in Lulong County, according to sources with the county government.

An initial investigation showed that the victims, Li Zhan, his wife Hu Guixia and three other family members or relatives, were illegally making fireworks in a makeshift home-based workshop.

Further investigation into the accident is under way.