1 dead after pyrotechnics blast at Paris stage during rehearsal for show on French Revolution

Officials say that a technical director of a musical on the French Revolution has died of a heart attack after pyrotechnics under the musical's stage exploded during a rehearsal.

Agnes Thibault-Lecuivre, a spokeswoman for the Paris prosecutors office, said four other people were in critical condition following Friday's blast at Paris' Palais des Sports auditorium.

A police official said Friday the man died of heart attack after the blast. He said early signs indicate that a worker generated a spark that came into contact with pyrotechnics under the stage. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly on the matter.

The show's production company did not immediately respond to an e-mail seeking comment.