There was an explosion on the upper floors of a nine-story apartment block at 40 Lazurna Street in Mykolaiv on Monday.

An Interfax-Ukraine reporter said that the cause of the blast and possible casualties were currently unknown.

Five fire engines, 11 ambulances, and several rescue service cars are near the building.

The State Service on Emergency Situations told Interfax-Ukraine that the explosion had destroyed the supporting structures in the house on the eighth to tenth floors.

"Rescuers have carried out a complete evacuation of people. Reports of those killed and injured are being established," the service said.