Cause of fireworks factory blast remains a mystery

Fireworks enthusiasts are in the dark over the cause of the explosion at St Joseph Fireworks Factory in Ghaxaq last night.

Marvic Abela, president of St Joseph Musical Society, which includes the fireworks factory, said the blast, which took place at 11.38 p.m., had destroyed a room where substances were mixed but there was no one there at the time and no machinery was being used.

"We have no idea what caused this, the amount of material was small because we have not started making fireworks for the new season."

He explained that the complex consisted of 14 rooms. The blast destroyed one of them as well as the facade.

Volunteers were this morning clearing the debris and rebuilding a boundary wall.

Mr Abela said a court expert had inspected the site and AFM explosives experts had lifted samples of the material for testing.

The society, he said, was keen to receive the result, lest some materials were defective.

Asked if the blast could have been caused by lightning, he said there was no lightning or rain at the time.

He thanked the AFM, the Civil Protection Department and the Police for their assistance last night.

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http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20090925/local/ghaxaq-fireworks-factory-explodes