Several people were injured in a gas explosion Friday in or near a building in the southern German town of Memmingen.

An employee of the disaster control department walks past a rescue station of the Bavarian Red Cross, where an explosion had occurred in Memmingen, Germany, Friday, Feb.5, 2021. (Photo: AP)

The explosion occurred at about 6 a.m. and damaged the building used by the Bavarian Red Cross, which also had apartments above, authorities told the dpa news agency.

Five people were injured, one seriously, police said.

The source of the explosion was a defective gas line that ran under the street in front of the building, dpa reported.

Authorities warned that other explosions were possible and evacuated the area.

The building was seriously damaged, police said.