At least 2 dead, 2 missing in Hawaii fireworks storage explosion

[News_Editor]

At least 2 dead, 2 missing in Hawaii fireworks storage explosion

2011-04-09 07:29:33 GMT+7 (ICT)

HONOLULU, HAWAII (BNO NEWS) -- At least two people were killed and two others remain missing after multiple explosions blasted a fireworks storage facility Friday morning in Hawaii, local authorities said.

Honolulu Fire Department spokesman Captain Terry Seelig told the Honolulu Star Advertiser that firefighters removed two bodies from the underground cave in Waikele, Hawaii, where confiscated fireworks were stored.

In addition to the two confirmed dead and two missing, two others were injured due to the explosions and fires. The injured were transported to a local hospital for medical treatment, where one of them was reported to be in critical condition.

Seelig said all six men are believed to be in their 20s and employed by Donaldson Enterprises, which uses the bunker, located at the Waikele Business Center on Pakele Street.

Firefighters received the first emergency call at around 9 a.m. local time, and upon arrival, they found the two wounded outside the bunker.

After a quick knockdown of the flames, firefighters identified two others just outside the bunkers, which used to be military munition storage facilities designed to hold explosive material, and are about 250 feet long, 12 to 20 feet wide, and 18 feet high. However, after bringing them out, they had no signs of life.

The two missing are presumed to be inside the bunker, but with high temperatures and numerous fireworks, which are mostly aerial, still in danger of lighting up inside the facility, it remains unsafe for firefighters to enter and search the area.

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