CCTV captures the dramatic moment a fireworks factory exploded injuring at least 11 people in northern Thailand on Monday afternoon.

The blast shook nearby homes when it ripped through the building shortly after lunch - detonating thousands of explosives stored inside.

Footage from July 24 shows a large plume of black smoke rising from the factory as crackling noises jolted nearby residents. Red sparks were seen spewing from within the smoke column.

Police officers, firefighters, medics, and rescue crew responded to the incident and blocked off the area as the fireworks continued to explode from the building in the Doi Saket district.

Police Colonel Thongchai Kannika, the superintendent of the local station, said at least 11 people, including children, suffered minor injuries. They were taken to the Doi Saket Hospital and other nearby medical centres to be treated from burn wounds.

The explosion also damaged the windows, roofs, and floors of several houses in the vicinity. Authorities said they were investigating the cause of the explosion.

Police Colonel Thongchai: 'Fire crews are securing the building. We have launched an immediate investigation into the cause of the explosion and we are also checking the company's paperwork.'

The first explosion at the factory happened around 10 years ago, resulting in a minor fire with no significant damage or injuries.

Sathit Kamnorkaew, the mayor of San Pu Loei Subdistrict Municipality, added: 'We have set up an incident response division to provide assistance to people affected. The factory is legally licensed, but it has had explosions like this before, around six or seven years ago.'

Thongchai, a witness who saw the explosion occur, said he saw sparks flying from a circuit breaker near the factory's storage area. He said he warned the workers inside to evacuate as the sparks ignited the fireworks.


Local restaurant owner Suphalerk Rinsinjoi, 33, said that the impact of the explosion was severe, damaging his surveillance camera and ceiling, and causing items in his house to fall down.

He said: 'I quickly ran outside and encountered an elderly woman in the middle of the road. I helped her and then alerted other residents. Many are elderly people I helped them into secure and safe places.'