AAP General News (Australia)
12-09-2007
NSW: Investigations to begin into fireworks explosions
SYDNEY, Dec 9 AAP - Investigations will begin today into a series of explosions at
a fireworks company near Lithgow, west of Sydney.
Police say a container of fireworks exploded at the Howard and Sons plant at Wallerawang
shortly after 10pm (AEDT) last night.
The blast was heard up to 30 km away, and blew out windows in eight nearby buildings.
NSW Rural Fire Service spokeswoman Rebel Talbert says two buildings in the complex
were destroyed by fire and efforts to extinguish the blaze were hampered by continuing
explosions overnight.
Police found there were no people inside the complex, but fearing more explosions they
evacuated residents within a one-km radius of the site.
The risk of any more explosions this morning is thought to be small, but an exclusion
zone remains in place until an assessment has been made over the next few hours.
Police say investigators will move into the site when it's safe to do so.
They say there are no reports of any casualties.
The website for the Howard and Sons Fireworks factory says it's a world leader in the
field of pyrotechnics, and operates on a global basis.
It says the company has been responsible for some of the world's most spectacular fireworks
displays at events including the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games and the 2002 Soccer
World Cup.
AAP wz/jat/ao
KEYWORD: FIREWORKS 2ND DAYLEAD
2007 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.
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