Massive Explosion Rocks Downtown Madrid

Update (0945 ET): Law enforcement in Spain confirm “a big explosion in a building on Toledo street in Madrid.”

Police said, “There are already agents working in the area. Please don’t come to browse Groups of people or private vehicles can hinder the arrival and work of the emergency services.”

* * * 

A massive explosion rocked downtown Madrid on Wednesday, according to local newspaper El País.

“A strong explosion, the causes of which are unknown, has shaken a property in the center of Madrid around three in the afternoon. The powerful deflagration has blown up the three upper floors of the block, located on Toledo Street,” El País said. 

Two witnesses told Reuters they heard a loud explosion. A plume of smoke can be seen in the neighborhood after the blast. 

Video from the explosion has transformed the entire street into what appears to be a warzone. Police are saying the surrounding area around the collapsed building is being evacuated.

más imágenes desde el edificio de al lado de la explosión en puerta de toledo, madrid pic.twitter.com/D1bJvI0iHx

— césarr,,❃ (@valleejooo_) January 20, 2021

One image from the scene appears to show a building structure blown apart. 

First responders have arrived. 

♦️ #Madrid ♦️
📹| Explosion massive à Madrid

▪️ Des personnes auraient été déplacées autour du bâtiment où la violente explosion s’est produite.
▪️ La cause de l’explosion n’a pas encore été signalée.

pic.twitter.com/NoowDHYejz

— Maurice Martin ♦️ (@MauriceMartin01) January 20, 2021

 The plume of smoke can be seen across town. 

Acaba de sonar tremenda explosión cerca de puerta de Toledo, San Francisco en Madrid pic.twitter.com/l827Fan60N

— Cristian Larrosa (@cristianlarrosa) January 20, 2021

A video from the ground of the scene shows the devastation. 

Fuerte explosión en Puerta de Toledo (Madrid). Entran los bomberos al edificio derrumbado. pic.twitter.com/LeJLV2DVC8

— El Persuasor (@Persuasor) January 20, 2021

Someone on Twitter posted a stunning before and after picture of the blown-up building, suggesting the explosion was powerful. 

*This story is developing.