Six died and four others were injured after firecrackers exploded in an illegal production plant in north China's Hebei Province, authorities said Sunday.

The blast occurred at around 5:08 p.m. Saturday in the house of Wu Wenzhong in Guzhuangying Village, Xushui County, the county government said.

Five, including Wu, died at the scene and one died while being transferred to a hospital in Baoding City. Four were hospitalized.

Witnesses said they heard a big bang and then saw a cloud of dark smoke rising. The blast destroyed the roof of Wu's house and shattered window glasses of nearby houses.

Police said an investigation showed Wu was illegally producing firecrackers.

(Xinhua News Agency June 28, 2009)