Emirates Red Crescent to cover accommodation costs of more than 200 left homeless by Abu Dhabi gas explosion

The blast, which occurred on Monday, killed two people

Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed visits people who were wounded in a gas explosion in Abu Dhabi on August 31. Courtesy: Abu Dhabi Government Media Office

Three people died and several more were wounded in the blast at a KFC and Hardee's restaurant. Courtesy: Abu Dhabi Government Media Office

Sheikh Khaled ordered a review of safety measures for transporting gas and its storage. Courtesy: Abu Dhabi Government Media Office

Sheikh Khaled visits people who were admitted to hospital following the gas explosion. Courtesy: Abu Dhabi Government Media Office

Workers board up a building on Airport Road in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, September 1, a day after the deadly gas blast. The National

Workers began clearing debris that was flung into the street after the ground floor blast at the KFC and Hardee's outlet. The National

Two people died and others were injured in the accident on Monday morning. The National

The area was cordoned off to the public. The National

The authorities are carrying out checks in the surrounding area to ensure any gas pipe faults are found. The National

Police released this image of extensive damage to a building in central Abu Dhabi. Courtesy: AD Police

An eyewitness took this image showing the damage that the blast caused. Courtesy Naeema Baloch

A nearby resident shared these images of the blast on Airport Road.

Abu Dhabi Police said it was thought the blast was caused by a gas leak.

The accident left debris strewn across the street in front of the building.

Abu Dhabi Police said a number of people were taken to hospital with 'minor and moderate injuries'.

The accommodation costs of more than 200 people who were left temporarily homeless by a gas explosion in Abu Dhabi will be covered by Emirates Red Crescent.

Two people from the Philippines died and others were injured as a result of the blast, which was caused by a gas leak at a fast food restaurant on Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Road in the emirate on Monday.

The humanitarian organisation will provide support for 208 people living in the building who had to be relocated.

ERC said volunteers from its Abu Dhabi centre were involved in the evacuation of the building and transferring residents to hotels in the city.

The group is covering expenses associated with their stay under a directive by Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed, the Ruler's Representative in Al Dhafra Region, who is also its chairman.

The explosion, which was caused by a misalignment in the gas container fittings after the residential building was refuelled, occurred at about 10.15am.

It destroyed a KFC restaurant, a neighbouring Hardee's outlet and other shops nearby.

The typically busy street, also known as Airport Road, was closed until 6.30pm while clean-up operations were under way.

Civil Defence asked around the area for anyone who was injured so they could be taken to hospital.

The explosion could be heard at least a kilometre away and sent debris flying across one of Abu Dhabi's busiest roads.

A video showed the devastating aftermath of the blast.

It showed cars parked nearby Hardee's and KFC on Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Road having been pushed by the force of the blast, which also blew out the concrete walls of the fast food chains.

The windows of the residential flats on the two floors directly above the restaurants were shattered as the sound of many sirens rang out.

Ritchelle Otrillo, 40, a saleswoman who works at a haircare shop two buildings from the accident site, said she heard a loud bang at around 10am.

"I went out to see what happened, and I saw people covered in blood

"I had four customers, and one customer said she had just left with her kids from KFC five minutes before, and she was almost crying. She was very lucky, she said God saved her."

On Tuesday, the Philippines embassy in the UAE confirmed "with deep sadness" that the two who died were its citizens.

It said ambassador Hjayceelyn Quintana contacted the families of the two people to express condolences and assure them that they would be given "all necessary assistance".

The embassy is working with local authorities to track down Filipinos who were taken to a hospital to be treated for minor and moderate injuries.

It said it would offer them support.