Death toll from Beijing gas explosion rises to six

Firemen deal with a residential building explosion in Beijing, capital of China, April 11, 2011. A gas deflagration occurred in the residential building in Chaoyang District in Beijing Monday morning, leaving the building partly collapsed. The accident has killed four and injured one so far. (Xinhua/Wang Zhen)

Firemen deal with a residential building explosion in Beijing, capital of China, April 11, 2011. (Xinhua/Wang Zhen)

Firemen deal with a residential building explosion in Beijing, capital of China, April 11, 2011. (Xinhua/Wang Zhen)

Firemen deal with a residential building explosion in Beijing, capital of China, April 11, 2011. (Xinhua/Wang Zhen)

BEIJING, April 11 (Xinhua) -- The death toll from a residential building blast has risen to six, with one person injured as of 23 p.m. Monday after rescuers pulled more bodies out from debris in downtown Beijing, local authorities said.

Preliminary investigations suggest that fuel gas exploded, causing part of the two-floor apartment building to collapse, said a spokesman with the municipal government's information office.

The accident occurred at 8:27 a.m. at the 5th Entrance of the No. 3 apartment building in the 12th neighborhood of Heping East Street, Chaoyang District.

It's unknown how many people were inside the building when the explosion occurred, but according to fire fighters, the collapsed part of the structure contained six apartments.

Rescuers also evacuated nearby buildings and a school. Further investigation was underway, said the spokesman.