Deadly blast at least 8 killed as huge explosion rips through fireworks shop in China ahead of lunar New Year

THE SUN - A huge explosion ripped through a fireworks shop in a village in Jiangsu province, eastern China, leaving two others with minor burns.

The deadly blast was sparked when a resident set off the pyrotechnics too close to the store on Sunday afternoon, according to the Donghai county government.

Authorities added: “Emergency management, fire, public security, and health authorities rushed to the scene immediately to carry out rescue and response operations.”

It comes as millions prepare to light up the skies for the Lunar New Year, also known as the Spring Festival in China, on Tuesday, which will see in the year of the horse.

Setting off firecrackers at midnight is a long-running tradition, but many cities have clamped down on fireworks in recent years due to air pollution.

They may make a comeback in some areas after some governments eased their bans last year.

But in the wake of Sunday’s tragedy, China’s Ministry of Emergency Management ordered tighter controls on the production, transport and sale of fireworks.

Officials warned that testing out fireworks and firecrackers near stores must be strictly prohibited and urged local governments to eliminate blind spots “to ensure the people have a safe and happy Spring Festival.”

In a statement released on Monday, the ministry added: “[Officials must] resolutely prevent similar incidents from recurring.”

It added that local cops must strengthen patrols and “severely punish any violations”.

It’s not the first time fireworks have unleashed chaos in China.

Last October, a huge display went horribly wrong in the city of Liuyang, sparking apocalyptic scenes.

Shocking footage shows panicked crowds running for their lives as fireballs rain down on them.

Terrified spectators can be seen ducking for cover under chairs as they try to hide from the meteor shower.

Small fires broke out around the city, but were fortunately extinguished quickly and officials confirmed that no one was injured in the melee.

Millions around the world were reminded of the dangers these celebratory pyrotechnics can pose after champagne sparklers set off a deadly inferno at a Swiss bar and killed 41 partygoers.

The New Year’s Eve tragedy sparked a major investigation which revealed that the nightclub had not undergone an annual safety inspection for five years.