Preliminary investigations into a fireworks factory blast which left two people injured yesterday showed all precautions had been taken, police said.

Explosives experts are continuing their investigations into an explosion at the 12th May Fireworks Factory, near Zebbug.

Raymond Sultana, 55, of Ta' Xbiex, is in serious condition in hospital after suffering 20 per cent burns to his upper body. Charlton Mifsud, 33, of Msida was slightly injured.

Another four persons in the factory, near Zebbug, were unharmed.

Addressing a news conference, Assistant Commissioner Neville Aquilina said the blast took place during the manufacture of colour fireworks.

The blast demolished a room (above) but other sections of the factory where fireworks material is stored were untouched. Around 200 petards stored in a separate room for use in the St George feast of Gozo were not impacted in any way.

Mr Sultana is the licence holder of the only fireworks factory in Zejtun, which this year had the feast cancelled because of the death of the parish priest. For safety purposes, because of the stored fireworks there, Mr Sultana had opted to work in Zebbug.

The licence of the 12th May factory will be on hold until investigations are concluded.

Another fireworks factory, in Lija, currently has its licences suspended because of regulatory reasons.

A plan of the fireworks factory