ROME (AFP) - Seven people were killed and several injured on Friday in an explosion at a fireworks factory in the southern port city of Bari, local media reported citing the emergency services.

La Repubblica newspaper reported that a van exploded first, triggering a series of blasts within the factory that lasted around an hour.

Two Canadair water-bomber planes were deployed to avoid the fire triggered by the blasts reaching a nearby forest.

One of the injured sustained burns on 90 per cent of the body, La Repubblica said.