A gas pipeline explosion and fire killed three people and injured at least 10 others, including children, in a small village in western Poland, local media reported.

The explosion happened at around midday and fire immediately engulfed several houses and part of a forest. Hundreds of residents were evacuated.

Local police and fire services could not immediately verify the number of dead but told Reuters that 10 people had been transported to a hospital with various injuries and firemen were searching the affected area for potentially more casualties. Polish media reported three people had died.

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