At least three people have died, 14 others including four children were injured after a powerful explosion rocked a five-story apartment block in southeast Moscow. Gas is the suspected cause of the explosion. A fire caused by the blast has now been put out. Bomb-disposal experts ruled out terrorism as a possible cause. The residents will settle in Kuzminky Hotel, Russian media reported.

A fire caused by the blast has now been put out. Although a gas-leak is believed to have caused the explosion, the apartment building will still be checked by bomb-disposal experts.

According to the Moscow branch of the Emergency Situations Ministry, the building was rocked by an explosion (presumably from household gas) at about midnight. The blaze that followed spread to several apartments on the first and second floors and also into the basement housing a shop. Law enforcement officials suspect a natural gas cylinder exploded inside the shop.

The five-storey apartment building dates back to the Krushchev era.