Five people were killed and eight others wounded Monday when an explosion ripped through two trucks carrying fireworks in the Jordanian capital, a civil defence spokesman said.

General Farid al-Sharaa said two trucks loaded with containers filled with fireworks exploded in a parking lot at the customs department in southern Amman.

Five people were killed and eight others suffered from burns, he said.

The explosion also sparked a fire that ripped through the parking lot and damaged a dozen vehicles, Sharaa said. Firefighters were working to put out the blaze.

News websites posted pictures showing a plume of black smoke rising from the site.

Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident, Sharaa said.

Jordan has banned the import of fireworks since 2009, after several deadly incidents linked to their use in the kingdom, including at weddings and other celebrations.