Gas leak sparks explosion in Istanbul-police

ISTANBUL, June 1 (Reuters) A gas leak triggered an explosion in a five-storey building in Istanbul today, injuring a number of people, police sources said.

Separately, NTV private television blamed a fire for the blast, which occurred at lunchtime in the Uskudar district on the Asian side of Turkey's largest city. NTV said 14 people had been hurt in the blast.

Television showed people covered in blood being treated outside the building or being carried to ambulances.

CNN Turk television said the explosion occurred at a firing range located in the basement of the building.

Blasts are not uncommon in Turkey and are often the work of diverse militant groups operating in the country.

Kurdish separatists and ultra-leftist groups have claimed responsibility for past explosions, especially in Istanbul, a city of more than 12 million people straddling Europe and Asia.

REUTERS SI RN1643