More than 20 people, including nine police officers and a firefighter, were injured on Friday morning following a massive explosion at a petrol station in the Prenestino district of eastern Rome, according to Italian authorities.

The blast, which occurred just after 8 a.m. local time (0600 GMT), sent a towering fireball into the sky and could be heard across the Italian capital. Photographs published by Roma Today showed flames and dense smoke billowing high above the city, while images released by the fire brigade revealed the petrol station almost destroyed.

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Rome’s chief of police, Roberto Massucci, confirmed that among the injured were 16 civilians, including the station manager. Fortunately, no one was reported to be in a life-threatening condition.

Health officials stated that five people were taken to hospital with minor burns and injuries caused by shattered glass. Emergency responders were already present at the scene when the explosion occurred, having been called earlier to investigate a fuel leak after a truck reportedly struck a pipeline connected to the distributor.

The petrol station supplied petrol, diesel, and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is also monitoring the situation closely, her office confirmed in a brief statement.

An investigation into the cause of the blast is currently underway.