Fireworks set to be displayed in the culmination of ${bigcity_Hanoi:"Hanoi"}’s Millennium Celebration lighted up ahead than planned when three containers storing Chinese firework supplies accidentally went off into huge explosions which shook the area near My Dinh Stadium, sending up a plume of smoke.

The accident reported killing four people including three foreigners and one Vietnamese. Officials claimed that the victims were burned beyond recognition. Metal debris sent off by the explosion were scattered as far as 200 meters in the surrounding areas, injuring several others on the process. The blast took place just before noon on Wednesday. Ten ambulances and eight fire trucks came to the site a few minutes after the explosion to extinguish fires and rescue people. Police quickly sealed off the site and declined to comment officially.

There appeared to be a news blackout right after the incident as the website of respected newspaper Tuoi Tre was able to post images showing a large cloud of thick smoke in the air, of which, the reports were later removed from the Internet. Initial investigation showed that carelessness in moving fireworks caused the accident, however, more investigations are underway.

Hanoi has spent millions of dollars this year sprucing up the city for the grand celebration, which will include a parade of 30,000 people. The celebrations are scheduled to conclude with the capital's largest-ever parade and fireworks display on the symbolic date of October 10, or 10/10/10. According to officials, this unfortunate accident will not affect work and will even further ensure security for Hanoi's 1000th anniversary.