Fireworks blast kills 4, injures 50

BANGKOK, Jan. 25 (UPI) -- Authorities say four people were killed and 50 injured by an explosion caused by a Bangkok fireworks display celebrating the Chinese New Year.

The Bangkok Post reports fireworks triggered an explosion midair around 7:30 p.m. Tuesday that sent a shower of debris into a dense residential community behind the City Pillar Shrine.

The community is comprised of hundreds of wooden houses, which swiftly caught fire when the debris touched down, the newspaper said. About 30 houses burned to the ground. Firefighters were tackling blazes late into the night.

Among the injured are fireworks technicians, as well as spectators who were sent fleeing when the blast was set off.