LONDON, Dec 3 (Reuters) - Two firefighters were killed and 12 other people injured when a fireworks warehouse in southern England caught fire and exploded on Sunday, officials said. Witnesses said a series of blasts shook the warehouse at Shortgate, East Sussex, as the fire raged and cascades of fireworks exploded in the night sky hours afterwards. Two firemen were killed in a large explosion about an hour after the fire began, Jeremy Paine, assistant chief constable of Sussex police, told reporters.

Another 12 people were hurt, including nine firefighters, two members of the public and a police sergeant, he said. All were taken to hospital where some were later released.

(Reporting by Adrian Croftl Editing by Ralph Boulton; London newsroom +44 207 542 7947; Reuters Messaging: adrian.croft.reuters.com@reuters.net))

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