Beijing, February 18 (QNA) - Twelve persons were killed in an explosion at a fireworks retail store in central China's Hubei Province on Wednesday, according to Chinese authorities.

China's emergency authorities said the explosion took place in the town of Zhengji of Xiangyang City, adding that the impact of the explosion and the fire extended over an area of about 50 square meters.

Emergency teams were dispatched to the scene of the incident, and the flames were extinguished. The cause of the explosion is still under investigation.

A similar incident occurred two days ago, in which eight people were killed and two others were injured following an explosion at another fireworks shop in eastern China. (QNA)