An explosion in Honolulu caused by illegal aerial fireworks shooting into a crate with more fireworks killed three and critically injured 20, police said.

Honolulu mayor Rick Blangiardi said in a statement that the explosion was "caused by what appears to be illegal fireworks"

Officials emphasized the devastation during the news conference, with Hawaii Gov. Josh Green saying the house in the Salt Lake neighborhood of Honolulu was “bombed” and “there’s organic material from our loved ones on the windows of the buildings across the street and the cars.”