Six people were killed in Mongolia’s capital on Wednesday after a truck carrying gas collided with a car, causing a huge explosion that sent flames soaring into the sky.

The early morning incident, which took place in Ulaanbaatar’s eastern Bayanzurkh district, left more than a dozen others injured.

It involved a truck carrying 60 tons of liquified natural gas (LNG), the Mongolian National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said.

On its website, the agency said: “According to preliminary results, three people died in the fire.” They said three firefighters were also killed during the blast. 

A total of 14 people were injured, with 10 receiving treatment for burns, it added. A child was being treated for poisoning and three other infants were receiving medical care.

General G. Ariunbuyan, head of NEMA, revealed the preliminary investigation showed the LNG truck had made a sharp turn on a crossroad, hitting the car.

“As a result, gas leaked out causing the explosion,” he said.

More than 600 firefighters in 100 vehicles were involved in putting the fire out, which was eventually extinguished.

Eyewitnesses reported seeing the hollowed out remains of the truck and reported there was little left of the vehicle but twisted metal.

The windows in a nearby apartment block and school were blown out and a number of parked cars were torched..

The early morning explosion sparked a blaze inside one building, pictures showed, causing some 80 residents to be evacuated and temporarily relocated, according to NEMA.

One person told AFP they had been forced to flee their home when the nearby apartment block was engulfed with flames.

Ankhbayar Galbadrak, whose car was also destroyed in the explosion, said: “This shows city planning is really bad.

“All of these trucks - with gas or without gas - should travel outside of the city limit.”

Roads around the area were closed as authorities worked to clean up debris. At a press conference on Wednesday, NEMA head Ariunbuyan said authorities had “worked tirelessly” to fight the fire.

Sainbuyan Amarsaikhan, the country’s deputy prime minister, said investigation and emergency measures were still underway. He warned the death toll may yet rise.

Richard Buangan, the US Ambassador to Mongolia, said he was “deeply saddened to learn of the tragic accident”.

“I would like to extend my heartfelt condolences to the families and colleagues of the NEMA staff members who lost their lives in this devastating event,” he said.

Axelle Nicaise, the EU’s ambassador to Mongolia, also said she was “shocked and devastated” by the incident.