BRUSSELS 

An explosion killed at least four people at an apartment block Friday in northern Belgium.

Two women who survived the blast are in the hospital. One spent 14 hours under the rubble, according to Turnhout Mayor Paul Van Miert.

The mayor indicated a gas bubble was a possible cause, adding that forensic experts would be inspecting the debris and heating systems to determine the exact cause.

The explosion blew a hole in one four-story block with 16 apartments. It shattered windows in a nearby block.

*Writing by Ahmet Gencturk in Ankara