According to the fire department, the explosion echoed for a long distance and a thick plume of smoke formed above the building, which was also visible from afar. Part of the building was engulfed in flames, but firefighters who arrived a little later were able to extinguish them.
A firefighter was also injured.
Police said 24 residents of the building were treated at the scene and two injured people were taken to hospital. One firefighter suffered smoke inhalation and was also hospitalised.
The neighboring residential buildings are currently uninhabited, with two of them in danger of collapsing.
About 140 firefighters are working at the scene of the explosion. Rescue teams continue to carefully clear the debris with an excavator and a crane.
