Gas explosion rips through Madrid building, killing 4 At least 11 people were injured in the explosion, one seriously, the Madrid emergency service said in a tweet. Credit: AP Smoke rises from a building and rubble scattered in Toledo Street following a explosion in downtown Madrid, Spain, Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021. A loud explosion of unknown origin has partially destroyed a six-floor-tall building flanked by a school and a nursing home in the center of Spain's capital, Madrid. (Europa Press via AP) Author: ARITZ PARRA and MANU FERNÁNDEZ Associated Press Published: 10:08 AM EST January 20, 2021 Updated: 4:52 AM EST January 21, 2021 MADRID, Spain — A powerful gas explosion tore through a residential building in central Madrid on Wednesday, killing four people and ripping the facade off the structure.