Blast at fireworks warehouse kills 1 as fire rages in Dubai

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (CNN) -- An explosion at a fireworks warehouse in Dubai sparked a massive fire Wednesday that may burn for more than 24 hours, authorities said.

The explosion sent a plume of smoke into the sky about 7:50 a.m. It killed one person and injured two others, said Gen. Saif Al Sha'far, deputy interior minister in the United Arab Emirates.

The fire has spread to 81 warehouses, and it may take firefighters 24 hours to bring it under control, he said. An initial investigation indicates that the fireworks were smuggled into the country illegally, he said. Watch the explosion »

An insurance broker estimated the fire would cause more than $200 million in damage.

Dubai is one of seven emirates, or states, that make up the oil-rich Persian Gulf nation of the United Arab Emirates. E-mail to a friend

From CNN's Mustafa Al Arad and Yousef Rafeya

All About United Arab Emirates