Three people were injured yesterday in an explosion that took place in the Costablanca Firework Company in Campo de Mirra in Alicante province.

When firemen from Elda and Villena arrived on the scene, they could only attest to the almost complete destruction of the factory with three people inside the charred interior.

Local mayor, Ramón Salvador, stated that the three were working with gunpowder when the explosion occurred.

Not making matters any easier for the fire brigade was that just as they started to attack the flames, a second explosion took place that ripped off one wall and the roof of the factory.

The injured are believed to be the couple that owned the company and one of their employees, with the 53-year-old woman having burns on her legs, face and hands; her 61-year-old husband broke his hip and had some other injuries, whilst the 29-year-old employee suffered smoke inhalation and damage to his foot, but all three are said to be out of danger.