Brazil fireworks factory explodes, kills two

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (Reuters) -- An illegal fireworks factory exploded in Rio de Janeiro on Thursday morning, killing at least two workers and ripping through neighboring buildings, a fireman said.

"It shook the whole block," said Marcos Sabino, a spokesman for Rio's firefighters. "We're still digging through the debris to see if there were more injuries or fatalities on location or in neighboring buildings," he told Reuters.

The factory, in a working class neighborhood in northern Rio, exploded at about 11 a.m. (1400 GMT), sending wooden beams and bricks slamming into other homes on the street.

Firemen said they still did not know the cause of the accident, which also injured at least one other worker.

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