Explosion claims four lives, collapses building in central Israel

A massive explosion that took place in the port city of Jaffa in Israel killed four people and led to the collapse of a building, Israeli police say.

Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld says Tuesday an investigation is under way to discover the cause of the large explosion late Monday.

An emergency team discovered four people dead under the rubble while five other injured people were taken to hospital, he added.

Local media reports say the explosion occurred at a store for construction material in the Ajami neighborhood of Jaffa, south of Tel Aviv, and was likely caused by an electrical short and gas leak.

Local residents described a huge blast that led to initial fears of a militant attack, reports AP.

Large plumes of smoke billowed above the neighborhood before firefighters put out the blaze.