MEXICO CITY (AP) — Officials in the central Mexican state of Queretaro say that five people have been killed in an explosion of fireworks that were being stockpiled for a local celebration.
Queretaro's civil defense agency says in a statement that the accident occurred at about 6:30 a.m. Tuesday in the community of Fuentezuelas. Fireworks that were being stored at a local chapel exploded, killing five people and injuring nine others.
Fireworks accidents are common at this time of year in Mexico, when many holiday and religious celebrations feature pyrotechnics.
On Dec. 20, 2016, chain-reaction explosions tore through an open-air fireworks market outside Mexico City killing at least 36.
