Russia store explosion kills 8

An injured woman is carried from the shop following the explosion.

YOUR E-MAIL ALERTS

MOSCOW, Russia -- At least eight people have been killed by a suspected gas explosion in northern Russia, according to officials, who added it was most likely an accident.

The Russian Emergencies Ministry put the death toll at 16 and said another 20 people were injured in Monday's blast in a store in the city of Ukhta, about 1,550 kilometers (963 miles) northeast of Moscow. Police gave a lower death toll of eight, according to The Associated Press.

The explosion occurred at a two-story brick building. Authorities said they believed the explosion was caused by a container of natural gas.

Vadim Zhuravlev, a duty officer at the Komi regional department of the Russian Interior Ministry, said the fire was in a store selling gas fireplaces, and that the deaths were caused by smoke inhalation.

"Judging by the kind of destruction caused, a gas canister exploded... Our specialists are working on it. There are no traces of explosive substances," a police source told Itar-Tass news agency.

Faulty appliances frequently cause explosions in Russia. One such blast in the city of Arkhangelsk last year destroyed an apartment block, killing 58 people, Reuters reported.

However, all explosions in Russia spark fears of attacks linked to Chechen rebels, who have killed hundreds with attacks on Moscow and other Russian cities.

CNN Correspondent Ryan Chilcote contributed to this report.