Santo Domingo, Aug 15 (AP) A powerful explosion rocked a town near the capital of the Dominican Republic on Monday, killing at least two people and injuring more than two dozen others, authorities said.

The explosion occurred at a bakery in the town of San Cristobal, which lies just west of Santo Domingo. Officials said the fire then spread to a hardware store located next door and a nearby furniture store. It wasn't immediately clear what caused the explosion.

Also Read | US: Three Found Dead in Car in Indianapolis Elementary School Parking Lot, Police Launch Probe.

Charred cars and debris from a couple of collapsed buildings lined the streets as thick black smoke rose from the town's center and prompted several businesses to evacuate while crowds gathered to film the incident.

The country's 911 system said at least two people died. Meanwhile, Pura Casilla, the governor of San Cristobal province, told Noticias SIN that at least 28 others were injured. She told the local TV station that the explosion occurred in a commercial area and greatly affected businesses near the city center.

Also Read | Malaysia Airlines Flight Lands Back in Sydney Three Hours After Take-Off Due to ‘Disruptive Passenger’.

Firefighters were still battling the blaze early Monday evening as authorities ordered people to clear the area, warning that other buildings could collapse. (AP)

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)