6 killed as blast devastates house in central Russia (VIDEO)

Six people have died and eight have been pulled from under the rubble of a two-story building, in the wake of a household gas blast that destroyed two flats and trapped sleeping residents in Ivanovo, Russia.

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Rescuers continued searching for survivors in the rubble of the damaged block of flats early on Sunday, after pulling eight people out alive and finding six victims, including a 4-year-old girl. The building reportedly housed 21 people.

A drone footage filmed by the rescue team showed the extent of the damage, with nearly a third of the building destroyed, including several flats on top floor.

Emergency workers had to observe several “minutes of silence” to try and detect survivors trapped under concrete blocks.

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A total of 15 people have been evacuated, four of them hospitalized.

Thirteen residents have been rescued from the ruins, and three managed to exit the building on their own. 

A strong smell of household gas was reported at the site immediately after the explosion. Witnesses recalled people crying for help from under the collapsed floor.

Two flats were completely destroyed by the explosion. It did not start a fire, however.

The regional investigative committee has launched an inquiry into the blast.