Big Explosion at Fireworks Factory in China

May 5, 2026, 10:58
AsiaWorld

Introduction

A fireworks factory in Liuyang, China, exploded. Many people died and others were hurt.

Main Body

The explosion happened on Monday at 4:40 PM. Many buildings fell down. Pieces of the factory flew into the streets. 480 rescue workers and robots looked for people. Liuyang makes most of the fireworks in China. Many factories there have accidents. These accidents happen because the factories are not safe. The government stopped all fireworks work in the city. Police arrested the company managers. The leaders of China want to find the people who made the mistake.

Conclusion

The rescue work is finished. Now, the police are looking for the cause of the explosion.

Learning

⚡ Action Words: Past vs. Present

In this story, we see two ways to talk about time. One is for things that already happened, and one is for things that are happening now.

1. The "Finished" Look (Past) When we talk about the explosion, we add -ed to the end of the word. This tells us the action is over.

  • Explode →\rightarrow Exploded
  • Happen →\rightarrow Happened
  • Arrest →\rightarrow Arrested
  • Finish →\rightarrow Finished

2. The "Right Now" Look (Present) When the police are still working, we use are + -ing. This tells us the action is continuing.

  • The police are looking for the cause.

Quick Guide for A2:

  • Use -ed for a story about yesterday →\rightarrow The building fell.
  • Use are ...-ing for a photo of today →\rightarrow They are searching.

Vocabulary Learning

explosion (n.)
a sudden, violent burst of sound and light
Example:The explosion at the factory was heard across the town.
fireworks (n.)
colored lights and sounds set off in the sky for celebration
Example:Children watched the fireworks with wide eyes.
factory (n.)
a building where goods are made or assembled
Example:The factory produced many different toys.
people (n.)
human beings in general
Example:Many people gathered to see the fireworks.
died (v.)
to stop living or to lose life
Example:Sadly, some people died in the accident.
hurt (v.)
to cause pain or injury
Example:Several workers were hurt by the falling debris.
Monday (n.)
the second day of the week in many calendars
Example:The accident happened on Monday.
buildings (n.)
large structures with walls and a roof
Example:Many buildings fell down after the blast.
fell (v.)
to drop or drop down from a higher place
Example:The roof fell onto the street below.
down (adv.)
in a lower place or position
Example:The debris landed down on the sidewalk.
pieces (n.)
small parts or fragments of something
Example:Pieces of the factory were scattered across the street.
streets (n.)
public roads in a town or city
Example:The fire spread along the busy streets.
rescue (v.)
to save someone from danger or harm
Example:Rescue workers rushed to help the injured.
workers (n.)
people who do a job, especially in a factory
Example:Many workers were on the scene after the explosion.
robots (n.)
machines that can perform tasks automatically
Example:Robots were used to search for survivors.
accidents (n.)
unplanned events that cause harm or damage
Example:Accidents happen when safety rules are ignored.
safe (adj.)
free from danger or harm
Example:The factory was not safe for workers.
government (n.)
the group that runs a country or city
Example:The government ordered a halt to fireworks production.
stopped (v.)
to cease or end an action
Example:The government stopped all fireworks work.
city (n.)
a large town with many buildings and people
Example:Liuyang is a city in China.
police (n.)
law enforcement officers who keep order
Example:Police investigated the cause of the explosion.
arrested (v.)
to take someone into custody for a crime
Example:Police arrested the company managers.
company (n.)
an organization that sells goods or services
Example:The fireworks company was fined after the accident.
managers (n.)
people who run or supervise a group or organization
Example:The managers were responsible for safety.
leaders (n.)
people who guide or direct others
Example:Leaders in China want to prevent future disasters.
find (v.)
to discover or locate something
Example:They will try to find the cause of the explosion.
mistake (n.)
an error or wrong action
Example:The mistake led to the dangerous situation.
finished (adj.)
completed or done
Example:The rescue work is finished.
now (adv.)
at the present time
Example:Now the police are looking for clues.
cause (n.)
the reason or reason for something
Example:Finding the cause helps prevent future accidents.