BANGKOK, Oct. 3 (Xinhuanet) -- About 14 people were killed and two others were injured Sunday in an explosion at a fireworks factory in Thailand's central Ayuthaya province, said a local official.

    The blast occurred at around 3:00 p.m. when some 20 workers were at the factory in Ayuthaya, which is about 75 kilometers north of Bangkok.

    The 200 square-meter workshop of the factory was completely destroyed during the explosion. The blast also damaged some nearby buildings.

    The factory had been operating illegally, said local police, adding its business has been ordered to shut down after an earlierexplosion last year.

    Police are looking into the cause of the explosion. Enditem