gas blasts in Taiwan.

The explosions, caused by a gas leak, sent flames shooting 15 storeys into the air, setting

entire buildings ablaze and reducing small shops to rubble.

The huge plumes of smoke can be seen rising as the fires claimed the lives of more than

20 people including four firefighters.

At least five blasts shook the streets of the south-west port city of Kaohsiun and the

Central Disaster Emergency Operation Centre said police and soldiers had been drafted

in to help firefighters tackle the blaze.

Many of those injured have been taken to a local hospital. However, emergency services

are still looking for people they believe are trapped under the rubble.