Explosion triggers fire at Chinese mall; four dead, 35 injured

LUZHOU CITY, China, Dec. 27 (UPI) -- Four people died and 35 were injured Friday after a natural gas explosion triggered a fire at a mall in Luzhou City, China, officials said.

The explosion took place around 10:40 p.m., local time, at the Mo'erma shopping mall in southwest China's Sichuan province, the official Chinese news agency Xinhua reported.

Flames spread to the ground and second floors, authorities said. Rescuers were searching for more victims.