SEOUL, Sept. 2 (Xinhuanet) -- A fire engulfed Friday through a five-floor building of public bathroom in South Korean third largest city of Daegu, injuring nearly 30 people, reported South Korean news agency Yonhap.

    Daegu is located some 350 kilometers southeast to Seoul.

    The injured were rushed to nearby hospitals, some listed in critical condition, Yonhap quoted local police as reporting.

    More people may be trapped in the five-story building, Yonhap said.

    According to Yonhap, the fire engulfed the building after a powerful explosion occurred at the building's basement - a public bathhouse - at around 4 p.m. (0700 GMT).

    The explosion might have occurred in the boiler room at the basement due to leak of gas.

    The blast also destroyed five cars parked in front of the building, shattered windows of nearby shops, disrupted traffic on streets dozens of meters away, the police said. Enditem