Five people were killed and one was seriously injured in an explosion at a fireworks factory in northern Portugal today, state television RTP reported.
RTP said the blast happened at the town of Caldelas das Taipas, about 50 kilometres (30 miles) northeast of Portugal's second city of Oporto. The cause was not immediately known.
National Civil Defence officials had no further details, but a hospital spokesman confirmed one seriously ill patient had been admitted for treatment.
A fire service official in Guimaraes told reporters 30 firefighters and 14 vehicles had been sent to fight a fire at Caldelas. Private TSF radio said two helicopters were also helping fight the blaze.
State news agency Lusa said fire caused by the explosion had spread to surrounding forests.
