KUNMING - Two people were killed and two others injured in a blast in downtown Kunming city, capital of southwest China's Yunnan province, according to local authorities.

Initial investigations showed that liquefied gas bottles exploded and caused a fire in a residential area at 11:41 a.m., according to the Xishan District government in Kunming. Five cars were damaged in the blast.

The fire was later put out, and those with injuries have been receiving hospital treatment.

Investigation into the accident is under way.

Firefighters extinguish a fire caused by explosions of liquefied gas bottles in a residential building in Kunming, Southwest China's Yunnan province, Nov 21. [Wang Yuheng/Asianewsphoto]