Fireworks Blasts Kill 4, Ruin Homes

An explosion tore through two small fireworks factories in a poor residential neighborhood early Saturday, killing at least four people and injuring 45. Police said they expected more casualties.

Thirty homes were destroyed and 140 were damaged by the 6 a.m. blast in southern Bogota, police reported.

Some fireworks were still detonating as police recovered victims. The blast also started fires in nearby houses, police said.

The two factories were actually private homes. Many families who live near the blast site make and sell fireworks out of their homes.

Though the practice is illegal, there is little government control.