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Explosion, Fire at Indonesia Firecracker Factory Kill 23

by Associated Press

   JAKARTA, INDONESIA --

   An explosion and raging fire at a firecracker factory near the
   Indonesian capital on Thursday killed at least 23 people and injured
   dozens, police said.

   The fire began Thursday morning at the factory located in a warehouse
   complex in Tangerang, a city in Banten province on the western
   outskirts of Jakarta. A police report said the fire spread after an
   explosion and that the factory's roof had

   Tangerang police chief Hary Kurniawan said dozens of injured people
   were being treated at three hospitals.

   The factory with more than 50 employees began operating less than two
   months ago, he said.