By Michael Heitmann

Most (Czech Republic) - Six people were killed in an explosion and fire in a restaurant in the Czech Republic on Sunday night.

Eight people were also taken to hospital with injuries, the fire department said.

According to initial statements from witnesses, a gas heater had fallen over and its propane gas cylinder had then ignited. According to the emergency services, the flames spread unusually quickly.

The accident occurred in a restaurant in the center of the industrial city of Most (Brüx), which is located around 60 kilometers south of Dresden .

Czech Interior Minister Vit Rakusan (46) wrote on X that he was in close contact with the fire department and police. Around 30 people were able to escape to safety from the restaurant and neighboring buildings.

A reporter from the public broadcaster reported that the restaurant had burnt down completely.

The flames were two to three meters high, as can be seen from the marks on neighbouring buildings. A structural engineer is now to check whether the building needs to be demolished.

The police have opened an investigation into suspected public endangerment. In the Czech Republic, such an offense is committed by anyone who negligently causes a danger to the life or limb of a large number of people or to other people's property on a large scale.