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Local residents reported hearing an explosion and eight fire engines arrive at the site of the blaze just before 5pm today. Christina Papadopoulou and her boyfriend Michael Pieridis revealed the explosion happened just two floors above them in Norman House. Mr Pieridis who fled the burning building with his girlfriend said "everyone ran in fear" and it felt like they "were just inches from death". Footage taken by a witness shows the moment of the explosion as flames rise up from the building in Derby's city centre. Meanwhile pictures from the scene show huge clouds of billowing black smoke rising above the rooftops of Derby. Mr Pieridis told Derbyshire Live: “It was a massive explosion. It was just above us. It was a massive boom.

Derby explosion: Huge fire breaks out in city centre

“Everyone ran in fear, we gathered our clothes and our phone and just got out of there. We were all desperately banging on doors getting everyone out. It was so scary. “All I could see was smoke and flames. I’ve never been so worried. I feel we were just inches from death. I couldn’t see any damage because it was on or near the roof. But it was massive. We’re lucky to be still alive.” Derby Police believe all residents of the building have been accounted for and there have been no reports of any casualties. Meanwhile Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service warned people to avoid the area and the surrounding roads have been closed. The latest update from emergency services confirmed firefighters had now put out the blaze, around two hours after it was sparked on the rooftop of the Stafford Street building. Derby explosion: WATCH moment blaze suddenly EXPLODES into huge FIREBALL with a BANG

Derby explosion latest pictures: Huge fire breaks out in city centre Mon, June 4, 2018 Pictures from the scene shows what appears to be an explosion as flames rise up from a building in the Derby city centre. Play slideshow Twitter 1 of 7 Flames rise up from Derby city centre

An investigation into the the cause of the fire has been lauched and Derbyshire FRS is working with Derby Police and East Midlands Ambulance to bring the incident to a close. Earlier Derbyshire FRS tweeted: “DFRS have eight fire appliances in attendance at a building / roof fire on Stafford Street, Derby. "Eight pumps, our Aerial Ladder Platform, Water Carrier from Ilkeston are fighting the fire. Please avoid this area.” A Derbyshire Police statement said: “Officers are assisting colleagues from Derbyshire Fire and Rescue with a large fire in Derby city. “We were called at 4.50pm and have a number of road closures in place. “Currently Friar Gate is closed at its junctions with Curzon Street, Stafford Street and Ford Street.

Derby explosion: Derby Police believe the fire started on the roof of the building

Derby explosion: The fire broke out on the rooftop of a building on Stafford Street

"Curzon Street is entirely closed. Stafford Street is closed from Uttoxeter New Road Island to the junction of Friar Gate. “The fire is understood to have started in the plant room on the roof of a six storey building. “All person are believed to be accounted for and there are no reports of any casualties.” Another witness Mohammed Alabbar, a computer science student at the University of Derby, whose nearby building was evacuated said: "It was the scariest moment of my life. It was so loud – I could tell it was really serious. "Our block was evacuated straight away. It happened just inches from where I’m based. "I have no idea what has caused it or the impact but I feel very lucky. It was absolutely terrifying.”

Derby explosion: Residents of the building which caught fire said they 'ran in fear'

Mark Sutherland, who shared a video of the smoke rising from the scene, on Twitter said: “Just heard a massive explosion and there’s a rooftop on fire in Derby right now.” Meghan Hilliard also tweeted:” I kid you not, a huge bang like an explosion and sirens going for the last 15 minutes in Derby. What is going on!?” The East Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust are also on the scene. Derby Police tweeted earlier: “We're currently responding to a fire on Friar Gate in Derby, please avoid the area whilst we help Derbyshire FRS with the incident. “Roads will be closed around the area where both Curzon Street and Ford Street meet Friar Gate, and where Friary Street meets Curzon Street.

Derby explosion: Fire fighters rushed to the scene of the blaze which started just before 5pm