MANILA, Philippines -- A pyrotechnics factory and storage area exploded in Cavite province Friday after being hit by lightning, a police official said.

Superintendent Efren Castro, deputy provincial police chief, said in a phone interview the explosion at Bukandala 2 in Imus was caused by lightning, which created a spark and eventually made the explosion. A still undetermined number of victims sustained minor injuries, he added.

The factory, which investigators said was operating illegally, was supposedly owned by Manuel Longcay, said Castro.