Fatal string of gas blasts in Russia: two more dead

18 Jan, 2008 17:10 / Updated 16 years ago

Two people have died in a gas explosion in the city of Yakutsk, in the Russian Far East. Two more were reportedly injured when a fire broke out in an apartment building late on Thursday. Local authorities say the blaze began after a gas cylinder exploded.

At least 20 people had to be rescued from the building, which was immediately engulfed in flames. Eight of the twelve apartments were completely destroyed. It's the latest in a string of fatal gas blasts in Russia, killing at least 17 people.