A fireworks factory in Thailand exploded today killing at least nine people and injuring more than 100 others.

Officials said a spark ignited firecrackers which detonated and the flames spread to thousands of others in the warehouse in Narathiwat province at around 3:20 pm local time.

The explosion shook nearby homes and shops before a fire spread to surrounding buildings in the town of Sungai Kolok, near the border with Malaysia.

The injured victims were taken to hospitals in Narathiwat and neighboring provinces. The government has announced that it will provide financial assistance to the families of the victims and to those who were injured.

Narathiwat governor Sanan Phongaksorn said: 'The fire is now under control. Preliminary investigation suggests the cause is a technical error during the steel welding process, as the building is under construction.'

Government officials said the military will be deployed to help with the rescue and recovery efforts.

The explosion comes just days after 11 people were injured in a fireworks factory explosion in Chiang Mai in northern Thailand on July 24. The explosion also damaged the windows, roofs, and floors of several houses in the vicinity.
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