Three people were killed and four others injured in a fireworks factory explosion in eastern China's Jiangsu province, the Xinhua news agency reported on Sunday.

The blast, which occurred on Saturday afternoon, toppled down four buildings. The blast killed one worker immediately and injured six others. Two of the injured later died in hospital. The other four are still in hospital undergoing treatment, Xinhua said.

The causes of the accident are being investigated, Xinhua said.

After the accident, the government shut down all fireworks factories in the province for safety check, Xinhua said.

Winter traditionally marks the peak of accidents at Chinese fireworks factories, which build up production on New Year's Eve.

A total of 46 people were injured and 75 fires occurred in firework-related incidents in China's capital on January 25-26, 2009 as the country celebrated the Lunar New Year.

The Chinese believe that fireworks drive away evil spirits.

BEIJING, November 29 (RIA Novosti)