Five dead in shopping centre blast

At least five people were killed and about 10 injured in an explosion tonight at a shopping centre in a suburb outside Helsinki, rescue officials said.

Officials said they suspected gas cylinders used by stores at the mall caused the explosion.

The main ceiling of the mall collapsed, spreading debris over a large area.

“There was a terrible explosion. My ears were completely blocked up,” said bystander Orvokki Neuvonen.

“Glass fell down from the third floor and the children and parents were in total panic when they saw the injured people.”

Fifteen ambulances were at the scene of the blast at the Myyrmanni Shopping Mall in Vantaa, just north of Helsinki, the Finnish news agency STT reported.

Authorities said about 10 people when injured.