CCTV shows arson attack on Chinese fireworks shop

Dramatic CCTV vision which shows a Chinese fireworks shop erupting into flames has been released following the arrest of a man on arson charges.

Staff are seen running for their lives or attempting to hide as the fireworks on shelves begin catching fire and going off.

Two employees are seen running out of the store as the fireworks begin igniting.

Another employee and her young son are seen ducking for cover behind shelves.

The rapid succession of igniting fireworks led to an explosion and the building burnt to the ground.

All of the shop's staff luckily escaped unharmed.

While many of the shop's security cameras were destroyed in the explosion, some of them managed to capture the man believed to be the suspect.

Witnesses said a 45-year-old man identified only as Li had purchased a few boxes of the shop's fireworks moments before the blaze.

A person is then seen flicking lit fireworks into the shop, leading to the explosion.

The arson attack occurred on January 21, a week ahead of the start of Chinese New Year - a lucrative time for purveyors of fireworks and a reason behind why there were so many fireworks in the shop.