An explosion at a firecracker factory in Heilongjiang Province killed at least 19 people, injured more than 150, and left five others missing.

 

The explosion ripped through the factory in Yichun City on Monday morning. Nine workers were killed inside the factory.

 

Sources say eight others were killed when the explosion reached a nearby wood factory. And two pedestrians were also killed in the blast.

 

The blaze was eventually brought under control.

 

But local authorities say a few small fires were still burning in the area on Tuesday, putting several nearby timber factories at risk.

 

Thousands of local residents have been evacuated and the explosion damaged a few buildings.