At least one person has been injured after a van carrying oxygen cylinders exploded and caught fire in the Porta Romana area of northern Italy, Milan.

Several vehicles parked in the place also caught fire as a result of the explosion, which occurred after 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, according to Corriere de la Sera.

Local police have reported that a van caught fire. Several television networks broadcast images of the neighborhood that show tall columns of black smoke between the buildings. Witnesses speak of moments of panic due to a “very violent explosion”.

The injured person is the driver of the van.. He was able to escape the flames in time but was injured in the leg and hand.

The carabinieri have cordoned off the area. The infant school in via Vasari, run by the Mantellate nuns, and the building at number 19 via Pier Lombardo have been evacuated.