Explosions tear through Billings fireworks plant

BILLINGS (AP) — Explosions at a fireworks manufacturing plant created a fireball that engulfed the building north of Billings.

The Billings Gazette reports (http://bit.ly/15DlyCm ) two explosions ripped through Evolution Pyrotechnics Manufacturing Inc. near Acton Tuesday.

Yellowstone County Sheriff's Sgt. Roger Bodine says the initial blast was small and the workers left the building, with one suffering minor burns.

As fire crews began spraying the building, a larger explosion created a bright flash, a deep boom and a fireball.

The explosion blew off the roof's panels by design and smoke poured out of the building for 1 ½ hours.

Firefighters were still putting out the blaze into the afternoon.

The exact cause of the explosion in the facility's chemical process building isn't yet known.

Evolution Pyrotechnics manufactures fireworks for the entertainment industry.

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