This cellphone photo shows the accident site after an explosion at a firework plant in Baofeng Village in Liling City, central China's Hunan Province, Sept. 22, 2014. The blast happened at around 3 p.m. here, leaving six people dead and 33 others injured on Monday, local authorities said. (Xinhua)

Six people were confirmed dead and 33 others injured after an explosion at a firework plant in central China's Hunan Province on Monday, local authorities said.

The blast happened at around 3 p.m. at the Nanyang Export Fireworks Factory in Baofeng Village of Liling City, the city government's information office said.

The factory was cordoned off, and surrounding areas were scattered with debris and glass shards from broken windows of nearby village houses.

Liling City is a major production base for China's fireworks, which play a major role in traditional festival celebrations like the Lunar New Year.

The city government said the factory was licensed and the cause of the explosion is under investigation.