An investigation into an explosion at a fireworks retail store in November in Chenzhou, Hunan province, has found the shop's owner responsible and resulted in disciplinary actions against local officials, authorities said in a statement released on Friday.

The blast occurred at 7:44 am on Nov 30 at the Yongxin fireworks retail store in Chenzhou's Beihu district, injuring three people. The incident drew widespread public attention after the shop owner, surnamed Peng, posted a video online showing himself drinking herbicide and making accusations against several government officials.

According to a statement from the joint investigation team in Chenzhou, Peng was responsible for the explosion. He later died at 6:23 am on Dec 2, after medical efforts proved unsuccessful.

Investigations revealed that Peng had gone into debt since 2019 through bank loans, online lending platforms, and credit cards. By November 2025, his outstanding debt had reached 3.037 million yuan ($440,000), with a 677,000 yuan payment due in December. Starting in August, Peng had repeatedly posted radical statements in group chats expressing suicidal thoughts, the statement said.

The investigation also addressed the regulatory context. In November 2025, the Chenzhou urban management and comprehensive law enforcement bureau had redefined the central urban area as a no-fireworks zone, which included Peng's shop. Authorities conducted outreach to retailers affected by the new restrictions, offering coordination for inventory buybacks and relocation assistance. At the time of the incident, Peng's store held approximately 80,000 yuan in inventory and remained in lawful operation under a permit valid from Dec 27, 2024, to Dec 31, 2025.

Regarding Peng's allegations of misconduct by government officials, the investigation led to disciplinary actions against 13 officials for gift solicitation against the shop owner, as well as violations of the central Party leadership's eight-point decision, work discipline, and mass discipline, as well as accountability for two Party organizations, the statement said.

According to the statement, the Chenzhou government has launched a rectification campaign across the fireworks and pyrotechnics industry, pledged to address the aftermath and public concerns properly, and committed to strengthening anti-corruption efforts and routine supervision of officials.