Moment fuel tank rolls 1,000ft down road seconds after massive fuel station blast that 'kills four, including two children', and triggers earthquake

An explosion at a gas station in Russias southern region of Chechnya killed at least four people including two children, officials have said. 

The explosion of a gas tank triggered a fire at the service station in the regional capital, Grozny, on Saturday said Russias Emergencies Ministry.

Terrifying footage share on social media appears to show a fuel tank exploding at the station which has left five more people injured.

Officials said the petrol station is on Groznys Mohammad Ali Avenue, close to the centre of the Chechen capital. 

The fire has been extinguished as regional authorities say a criminal investigation is being opened. 

Terrifying footage share on social media appears to show a fuel tank exploding at the station with four dead

The explosion of a gas tank triggered a fire at the service station in the regional capital, Grozny, on Saturday said Russias Emergencies Ministry

Officials said the petrol station is on Groznys Mohammad Ali Avenue, close to the centre of the Chechen capital

The fire has been extinguished as regional authorities say a criminal investigation is being opened

Ramzan Kadyrovs, the leader of Chechnya, said in a statement on Telegram that he had taken the situation under his personal control

Ramzan Kadyrovs, the leader of Chechnya, said in a statement on Telegram that he had taken the situation under his personal control. 

He said that those responsible for the blast would be brought to justice, but did not give further details. 

Grozny is about 1,500 kilometres (930 miles) south of Moscow. 

Russias North Caucasus has seen several deadly blasts at service stations recently. 

Last month an explosion at a gas station in the neighbouring region of Dagestan killed at least 13 people and injured 23 others.