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

In recent years, occasions large and small — parties, Super Bowls, mixed martial arts fights, even Thanksgiving — have provided a reason for residents across Hawaii to set

Two of the three victims of the fatal New Year's Eve fireworks explosion in Hawaii have been identified. Two of the victims who died on the scene were sisters, according to family members and media reports.

A New Year's Eve fireworks explosion in a Honolulu -area neighborhood killed at least three people and critically injured at least 20 others, authorities said. "It looked like a war zone," said Honolulu Fire Chief Sheldon K. Hao.

A series of explosions caused by fireworks in a residential area left more than two dozen people with burns and other injuries, officials said.

Video taken by a drone shows the moment an uncontrolled and fatal fireworks explosion began in an Honolulu neighborhood on New Year's Eve. Nick Wendrych via AP

EMS paramedic supervisor Sunny Johnson said her teams pronounced two people dead at the scene of the massive explosion early Wednesday, and transported over 20 to hospitals with injuries. A third person died later.