This was a whopper!
Howard and Sons are located about 8kms from home. I saw a flash that I assumed was lightning, and a moment later heard a huge thump that definately wasn't thunder. The thump was apparently heard 30kms away. The pretty lights caught on the news was just the small fires after the big bang. It is now believed that the explosion was of 17 tons of fireworks and gunpowder!
2x 40' shipping containers used as storage Magazines have been completely obliterated. Houses closer to the scene had windows blown in and doors come off frames.
Howard and Sons are a large Fireworks firm, and although they don't have the contract for this years New Year's Eve display in Sydney, it is none the less peak season for them and the factory is quite busy and they have a large amount of stock on hand waiting for delivery.
Initially it was thought that a break in had occurred on site with the Thieves attempting to gain access to the aforementioned quantities of stock which would find a ready market, and Forensic Police expected to find Somebody in the ruins, but no signs have been found yet. This has of course engendered many jokes about town, with the Crooks reported to have been searching the factory by the illumination of a cigarette lighter, or breaking into shipping containers with an Angle Grinder.
I have had business dealings with H&S, and hope they get back on their feet again soon. As the damage seems confined to a storage area, and thankfully no injuries occurred, production shouldn't be affected for too long.