Three workers were confirmed dead and three more feared dead after an explosion in a firework factory Wednesday morning in Hohhot, capital city of north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.

The accident happened at around 9:58 a.m. at the Chunhua Firework Factory in Zhaohao village of Shandai town, Tumote Left Banner when 25 were working at the scene.

Eleven escaped without injures, said the banner government and regional public security bureau. The eight injured, including one in critical condition, have been sent to local hospital.

The fire was put out at about 1:30 p.m..

The local investigation team said they found five bags of bodies or body parts in the wild about 3 km from the factory after a tip-off from local residents.

Three bodies have been confirmed as farmers from the town's Dongjiayingzi village, the team said. Two bags of body parts are yet to be identified.

Rescuers also are searching if any were buried under the debris.

Local police have taken the owner of the workshop into custody.

Baoyibatu, head of the regional work safety administration, said the Chunhua Firework Factory was an unlicensed workshop.

Tumote Left Banner, with more than 200 years of history in fireworks production, will shut down all firework plants following the explosion, the local government said.

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