The explosion at the house of Somnuek Dangkong, 55, who was well-known for his fireworks, also severely injured six others in his family and caused some 10 other neighbours to suffer minor injuries.

The explosion at 2 am also damaged 15 other houses nearby and caused damages worth about Bt5 million, according to Pol Lt Col Nukul Krutsiri of Ban Laem district police station.

The house was located in the Ban Laem community of Tambon Ban Laem.

All the dead were members of Somnuek's family.

Following the explosion, officials cut the power supply for fear of short circuit and a fire engine was rushed to the scene to launch a rescue operation.

Nitaya Damkong, 30, a daughter of Somnuek, said she saw a sparking fire from a plug, which quickly spread to a box of fireworks nearby. Once she saw the fireworks catching fire, she ran outside the house and called her children to follow her out.

Somnuek's house was a two-storey wooden house and he kept fireworks and gun powder on the ground floor. The explosion reduced the house into pieces.

Somneuk has been making fireworks for living for 20 years, Nitaya said.

Somnuek died at the scene along with his wife, Lamul Chotebutr, 52, his daughter, Nanthida Dangkong, 27, and Nanthida's son, Natthapol Ditprasert, 8.

Siriporn Phupha, 8, a daughter of Nitya, and Narin Dangkong, 1, died at the Phra Chomklao Hospital.

The Nation