1 Dead, 3 Hurt as Fireworks Spark Blaze near Martyrs Square
One person was killed and three others were injured on Thursday in a major blaze triggered by fireworks at Beirut's Martyrs Square near the headquarters of An Nahar newspaper, state-run National News Agency reported.
Earlier, a loud blast was heard during a live report broadcast by OTV from the location and the camera captured the scene of several cars that went up in flames at a parking lot.
Firefighting vehicles quickly scrambled to the scene from the nearby headquarters of the Beirut Fire Department and started dousing the flames.
Less than an hour before the incident, a mass popular rally was held at Martyrs Square in celebration of the 68th Army Day. It was not immediately clear, however, if the fireworks were linked to the event.
Later on Thursday, the National News Agency said several people were injured when the fireworks they brought to celebrate Army Day accidentally exploded. It described the group's move as a “personal initiative” that was not linked to the organizers of the Martyrs Square's rally.
Source: Naharnet, Agence France Presse
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