Gas explosion tears through Nevada university dorm, injuring 8 (PHOTO, VIDEO)

An explosion has ripped through multiple floors of a University of Nevada, Reno dormitory, leaving at least eight people injured. The blast was reportedly due to a gas leak.

At least eight people were hurt in an explosion that authorities have called a “utilities accident” on Friday afternoon. The blast happened at the Argenta Hall building.

A local fire department spokesman has said there was no-one inside at the time of the blast, and the damage to the building is minor.

However, images of the scene posted online show the ground level of the building heaped with twisted metal and rubble and multiple windows blown out.

Six of those injured were treated at the scene, and two were taken to hospital. The university has canceled the remainder of its classes on the main campus for Friday.

Some reports suggested surrounding buildings were evacuated as a precaution. A report posted on Twitter blamed a boiler explosion which caused an elevator to drop, starting a fire. Students were reportedly told to evacuate the dorm after hearing the fire alarm.

One student told local media she smelled gas while exiting the building and said people standing across from the dorm were hit by shrapnel in the blast.

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