Gas explosion and massive fire erupted at a gas pipe under an overpass in western Lugansk, the LuganskGaz company said.

"In the night of June 18, a medium-pressure gas pipe of 425 mm diameter exploded, causing a large blaze."

The area close to the May 1 Park has been cleared and blocked, emergency response teams and police have been seen arriving.

Twenty houses and 21 public buildings have been left without gas supply.

A massive explosion hit a gas distribution station in eastern Lugansk on February 15, the flame height reached 20 metres Repairs were concluded the next day.

In January, a gas main was blasted near the Glafirovka village, Lutugino district. The sabotage left some 13,000 customers and key infrastructure facilities including schools, medical centres and boiler houses without gas. Repairs were completed in the evening of the same day.*t