© TwitterSmoke is filling the street and people are pouring out into the road, in shock
A large explosion has destroyed much of a building said to be a home for the elderly in Madrid, with people urged to stay away from the scene.
There are fears at least one person may be trapped inside and police have confirmed there are casualties.
Reuters reports one building collapsed in the central Madrid explosion, with smoke coming out of the building and rescue workers evacuating elderly people from a nearby nursing home.
Several floors of the building in the capital's Toledo Street have been affected by the blast.
© REUTERSAs the smoke clears, the damage is apparent
The cause has not yet been revealed although initial reports said it could be a gas explosion.
The building is understood to be next to a school where there are no reports of any casualties.
Police and firefighters are among the emergency services that have rushed to the scene.
Madrid's civil protection team tweeted: "Ongoing incident in the area of #PuertodeToledo. Please avoid the area and clear the way to emergency resources...will be informed if specific recommendations are necessary."
One Twitter user posted pictures of a building which has been decimated and said: "There has just been a terrible explosion on Calle Toledo."
© REUTERSThe building is in the centre of Madrid
Authorities have confirmed there are casualties but have not given out any further details at this stage.
Some are understood to have suffered burns and other panic attacks.
Video: Two confirmed dead and 10 injured in Madrid explosion (Newsflare)
Two confirmed dead and 10 injured in Madrid explosion
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Police at the scene have said it was a gas explosion, they are urging people to stay away from the area.
The explosion has destroyed the top three floors of the building.
© REUTERSCasualties have been confirmed
Calle Toledo, a central street of the capital, is covered with debris from the blast.
Children at a school next to the building have been kept inside as emergency services cordon off the area.
Parents of the youngsters have been told they are okay.
Videos and pictures posted on social media show rubble in the street and people pouring out into the road as police vehicles arrive.
© REUTERSIt is reported the building housed a nursing home - though this has not yet been confirmed
Spanish news site elDiario.es reports a strong explosion was registered at the building, at 98 Toledo Street, shortly before 3pm.
The news site says all evidence points to a gas explosion.
The building was earlier said to be next to a nursing home, a school and the Iglesia de la Paloma - the church of the parish of San Pedro el Real.
It is now reported to have housed a nursing home - though authorities have not officially confirmed this.
It has lost its roof and the partitions of five of its seven floors.
© Info 288 - NACIONAL/TwitterPeople poured out into the street
Spanish emergency services have said they have rushed to a building in Madrid city centre following an explosion.
A reporter for TVE public broadcaster said several had been injured, without giving details.
A witness told Telemadrid broadcaster that there was at least one person trapped inside.
© GoogleHow the building looked before the explosion
Emergency services could not immediately confirm if there had been injuries.
A police spokeswoman said the area was being evacuated but could not confirm the source of the explosion.
La Sexta TV quoted government sources saying it may have been a gas leak. Officials could not immediately confirm.unday Mirror and Mirror Online.