US gun factory explosion in New Hampshire kills two

Multiple explosions at a gun and ammunition factory in the north of the US state of New Hampshire have killed two people, fire-fighters say.

A fire was still burning at the MDM Muzzleloader building in Colebrook more than four hours after the first blast around lunchtime.

Exploding ammunition kept the fire service from going in to tackle the blaze for two hours, the factory said.

About 40 local homes were evacuated and a shelter was being organised.

Fire-fighters said they were still investigating the cause of the blasts.

"We did hear two distinct bangs," said Karen Ladd, editor and publisher of The News and Sentinel newspaper in Colebrook.

She thought that something had hit the roof of her building.

"It knocked a picture off of my wall, right next to my desk. I will admit I panicked and I said, 'Get out!'" she said.