JEROEN JUMELET/EPA/ShutterstockA huge fire broke out after an explosion in a building in the Dutch city of Utrecht.
At least four people were injured in the incident, which happened near Visscherssteeg, an alley in the city center. The cause is not yet known.
The local safety body said several buildings had collapsed and there were reports of extensive damage, adding that it was possible that people were still under the rubble.
An eyewitness told RTL News that they heard a “deafening bang” and that “everything in the alley was destroyed”.
Other people told the Volksrant newspaper that the walls and windows of several buildings were destroyed, and several nearby shops were damaged.
Local residents were evacuated, while members of the public were advised to stay away from the area.
The local fire department said it could not enter the building due to the risk of collapse, Dutch broadcaster NOS reported.