At least 10 dead and dozens injured in Gaza market fire

Four children were among those killed in the blaze at the Nuseirat refugee camp

A young Palestinian uses a bucket to help put out the fire. AFP

The fire struck a bakery near a busy market. AFP

Dozens of people were injured in the blaze. AFP

The fire took hold in the refugee camp of Nuseirat in central Gaza Strip. AFP

Palestinian firefighters work at the scene where the fire broke out. Reuters

Gaza is one of the most densely populated areas on Earth. Reuters

Four children were confirmed to be among the victims. Reuters

At least 10 people have died and 60 injured in a fire which broke out at a market in central Gaza, the enclave's Ministry of Health said on Thursday.

Four children and three women were among the dead and 14 of the injured were in critical condition, the ministry confirmed.

The fire is thought to have started from a gas canister explosion at the Al Banna Bakery in the Nuseirat refugee camp, which hosts over 80,000 people according to UNWRA figures.

Witnesses said they heard an explosion before a blaze engulfed the bakery and quickly spread to nearby shops, factories and cars parked along the street.

Civilians rushed to help firefighters put out the flames. Smoke rising over the refugee camp could be seen from miles away.

Medecins San Frontieres offered its support to hospitals taking care of the injured if required, a spokesperson for the NGO said.

A Palestinian enclave, Gaza covers 365 square kilometres along the Mediterranean Sea.

With a population of nearly 2 million, the Gaza Strip is one of the world’s most densely populated areas.

Israel maintains a blockade of the Strip, citing security concerns over its Islamist rulers Hamas, with which it has fought several wars.