A cache of fireworks stored in a wooden house in eastern China has exploded killing at least 20 people and destroying several buildings, officials said on Wednesday.

The blast, in Shadi Village of Shangjie Township, about 10 km (six miles) from Fujian province's capital of Fuzhou, injured more than 40 people and collapsed at least five buildings on Tuesday evening.

The explosion occurred at 10:50 p.m. Tuesday at a shabby wooden house, which was used to store a large amount of fireworks, according to local villagers.

"I heard the the blast from about four km (2.5 miles) away. The cause of explosion is still under investigation," a local government official said by telephone.

The explosion left a crater two metres (6.5 feet) deep and 20 metres (65.5 ft) in diameter. The blast affected an area of 1,000 square meters, destroying five houses and damaging 20 others. The windows of all the buildings within several hundreds square meters were shattered.

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