One person was killed and at least three people were seriously injured after an explosion ripped through a bar in Spain.
Emergency services, including bomb disposal experts, were called to reports of a blast at a bar in Almería on Wednesday afternoon.
An 81-year-old pedestrian passing La Posada bar at the time was killed in the fire, and at least two other people were found in serious condition, according to Spanish outlet RTVE.
The owner of the bar on Calle Alfareria sustained burns on more than 60 per cent of his body and was taken to a hospital in Seville, according to Spanish outlet Canal Sur.
A second casualty, who has not been named, was said to have suffered minor injuries related to smoke inhalation. A third person was reportedly taken to a local medical centre, but their condition was unknown.
Images from the scene today showed police tape around a heavily damaged building, with doors torn from hinges and exposed wires hanging from the ceiling.
Early investigations suggest the fire was caused by a gas cylinder, although the exact cause is still to be confirmed. Forensic teams were on the scene on Thursday morning, collecting evidence.
Authorities told reporters that a second explosion tore through a garage on the same street. Again, the cause was unclear.
A spokesperson for the regional emergency response coordination centre said: “We received numerous reports of an explosion, possibly caused by gas, which had triggered a fire in the premises and caused part of the facade to collapse.”
They added: “Emergency services have confirmed that there were two explosions, one in the cafe and another in the adjacent garage, possibly caused by gas.
“One person has died in the incident, with no further details yet available, and three others have been injured.”
They said the fire brigade and national police supported local police in responding to the incident, called in around 5.20pm yesterday afternoon. The explosions occurred opposite a health centre.
Emergency services initially reported that four people had been injured in the explosion.
Almería is coastal city in southeastern Spain home to a Moorish citadel and today popular with European tourists.
Source: independent.co.uk