Explosion kills US soldier and Iraqi civilians

An explosion levelled a building in northern Baghdad today, setting four US Humvee military vehicles on fire and injuring at least one US soldier and several Iraqis.

The cause of the explosion was not immediately known. The building in the Waziriya district, which neighbours said was a perfume factory, was reduced to rubble.

At least one wounded US soldier was taken away in a stretcher from the burning Humvees, while US troops surrounded the area.

The condition of the Americans and the Iraqis was not immediately known, nor was the total number of casualties.

A woman was weeping as she was carried out of the ruins over a man’s shoulder.

Another victim, a young man, appeared unconscious as Iraqis carried him out by his legs and arms.

The total number of injured or killed was not immediately known.