JÉROEN JUMELET/EPA/Shutterstock
A fire that broke out following a large explosion in a house in the Dutch city of Utrecht was caused by a gas leak, authorities said.
At least four people were injured in the incident on Thursday afternoon near Visscherssteeg, an alley in the city center. Utrecht Mayor Sharon Dijksma said none of the injuries were life-threatening.
The cause of the gas leak is unknown, but it is not believed to have been caused deliberately.
The fire has since been extinguished but it took firefighters several hours to respond.
Large plumes of smoke were seen rising above the house and nearby streets were covered in rubble and glass.
An eyewitness told RTL News that they heard a “deafening bang” and “everything in the alley was destroyed.”
Other people told the Volksrant newspaper that the walls and windows of several buildings were blown out and many nearby shops were damaged.
Local residents were evacuated, while the public was asked to stay away from the area.
