Fireworks factory goes up in flames over sausages

Everyone is hoping to see a spectacular fireworks display on November 5th, but ideally it will not occur inside a building you are staying in for the evening.

However, that is exactly what happened for one man in China, who saw his innocent decision to cook some sausages backfire spectacularly as an entire fireworks factory went up in flames.

Hung Feng, 72, had agreed to look after a factory recently for his son, 48-year-old Ho Feng, who had gone out for the evening. With the owner out of the way, Mr Feng Sr felt hungry so opted to prepare some Lap Cheong, which are Chinese sausages.

It did not occur to him that, as he had been left in charge of a fireworks  factory, his culinary tastes would have to be heavily moderated and made suitable for his surroundings. As a result, the flames from his cooking ignited a blaze that caught hold and ended up destroying the whole building.

"When I left I know that my father told me he was going to cook some Lap Cheong. As he was a firework maker as well it didn't occur to me that I would need to warn him," Mr Ho explained.

The result was quite spectacular, as tens of thousands of pounds worth of fireworks were lit and sent flying in every direction. It meant local people in the village of Penggang, in Hubei province, were treated to an impromptu two-hour display.

Mr Ho added: "It is a tragedy but at least my father escaped. He ran out just as the fire started to take hold and was unhurt."

It is also a timely reminder that people around the world should not take any risks when it comes to fireworks, especially at this time of the year.