At least nine killed after gas explosion at restaurant | World News [Video]

A restaurant packed with gas cylinders exploded and set off a fire that killed at least nine people in the Lebanese capital of Beirut this evening.

Dramatic footage shared by the city’s fire brigade shows thick smoke billowing out of Pizza Secrets along Bechara El Khoury.

Captain Ali Negm told Al-Araby Al-Jadeed that it appears two gas canisters ruptured inside, causing a fire that trapped eight people inside.

They died of suffocation, the captain said.

Among those who died in the fire were Imad Ahmed Shuqair from Mays al-Jabal, Aya Hassan Marmar, of Ansar, Walid Muhammad Dankour from Kafr Benin, Hassan Harmoush from Baalbek-Hermel and Ali Musa Jab.

Residents and passers-by packed the street to see firefighters tackle the flames, with fears the fire could spread to the government departments, restaurants, and shops that make up the densely populated city centre.

The sign of the small restaurant was completely gnawed at by the fire, with only the letter ‘a’ of pizza and ‘ts’ …