CHANGSHA -- Five people suffocated after a fire broke out at a fireworks shop in Yueyang city of Central China's Hunan province late Tuesday, local authorities said Wednesday.

The incident took place in a commercial and residential building at 9:08 pm Tuesday. It was triggered by firecrackers lit by a buyer outside the store after purchase.

The fire was put off at around 11:20 pm Tuesday.

Follow-up work is underway.