Explosion at fireworks plant kills two near Montreal
24 June 2013
An explosion on Jun 20 at a fireworks factory in Coteau-du-Lac, near Montreal in Canada, killed two female staff members. The explosion at the B.E.M. Plant, one of the largest fireworks facilities in Canada, is thought to have been caused by a malfunctioning electrical igniter.
About 40 homes and a campground were evacuated after the explosion but residents have since been allowed to return. According to officials, fireworks kept exploding causing a secondary fire, hours after the initial explosion. Local fire chief Stephane Massicotte said 150 firefighters fought the flames.
According to its website, B.E.M. has been designing and manufacturing pyrotechnics and fireworks for 25 years. The company employed around 20 staff.