Synopsis

The S.E. Fireworks storage compound, located within a residential area, erupted in a catastrophic fire and explosion. Twenty-two perished – four firefighters and eighteen civilians – and over one thousand were injured. Two blasts ripped through the facility; the initial detonation equivalent to 800 kilograms of TNT, followed by a second measuring just under 5,000 kilograms. The facility, authorized for 1.4G grade fireworks, contained instead 1.1G grade explosives and was operating beyond its cap