PRAGUE, Jan 12 (Bernama-dpa) -- Six people have died and eight others were injured in an explosion that caused a fire in a restaurant in the Czech Republic overnight, authorities said early on Sunday, reported German news agency (dpa).
The injured were transported to the hospital, the fire brigade said. According to eyewitness reports, a gas heater toppled over, causing its propane cylinder to ignite.
Emergency services noted that the flames spread with unusual speed.
The accident occurred in a restaurant in the centre of the industrial city of Most, about 15 kilometres from the German border.
Czech Interior Minister Vít Rakušan wrote on X that about 30 people were able to escape to safety from the restaurant and neighbouring buildings.
A local news station reported that the restaurant was completely destroyed by the fire, with flames reaching heights of two to three metres.
Police have launched an investigation into a suspected offence of endangering public safety.
In the Czech Republic, this offence applies to anyone who negligently creates a risk to the lives or safety of many people or causes large-scale damage to others' property.
-- BERNAMA-dpa
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