Police in the Peruvian capital, Lima, say seven people were killed and eight others injured when an illegal fireworks factory exploded in the city centre and set off a huge fire.

The blaze destroyed several buildings before being brought under control.

A spokesman for the fire department said the victims, five women and two girls, had died from smoke inhalation and severe burns.

The Lima authorities had banned the sale of fireworks during the holiday season after similar accidents in previous years, but correspondents say many clandestine factories are operating in the run-up to the New Year celebrations.