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A multi-storey building was largely destroyed in an explosion in the center of the Spanish capital, Madrid.

There is still no information about possible victims, reported the Spanish television station RTVE and other media, citing the authorities.

The cause of the explosion, which reportedly happened on Wednesday around 3 p.m., remained unknown for the time being.

The broadcaster La Sexta TV quoted government circles as saying that the cause could have been a gas leak.

Official information was initially not given.

The fire brigade was on site with several vehicles.

Spanish media reported that residents of neighboring buildings, including a retirement home, were being brought to safety.

Videos and photos posted on social media showed smoke rising from the multi-story building, debris lying on the street.

The explosion occurred in the “Calle de Toledo” in the center of Madrid, a few minutes from the city gate “Puerta de Toledo”

Source: dpa / Europa Press

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As reported by the Spanish television broadcaster TVE and eyewitnesses, the upper three floors of the building were destroyed by the explosion.

Nine fire brigade units and eleven ambulances had been sent to the building on Calle Toledo, the ambulance workers from Madrid said on the online service Twitter.

The rescue workers and fire brigade are located near the destroyed building, the debris of which can be seen on the street

Credit: AFP / GABRIEL BOUYS

Leire Reparaz, an eyewitness residing near the Puerta de Toledo monument, told the AP news agency that she heard a loud explosion.

"We didn't know where the noise was coming from."

Police officers are standing next to the destroyed building - the cause of the explosion is still unclear

Credit: AFP / GABRIEL BOUYS

You and others would have thought at first that it came from the nearby University of Carlos III de Madrid-Puerta de Toledo.

Then they ran up the stairs to the top floor of their building and saw the damaged building and a lot of gray smoke, said the 24-year-old.

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