A huge explosion in a shopping mall in Armenia has killed at least one person and left customers running for their lives.
Another 45 people have been left injured by the blast which ripped through a fireworks warehouse within the retail centre in the capital of Yerevan, Reuters reports.
Firefighters were struggling to put out the subsequent blaze as fireworks continued to detonate following the explosion earlier today (Sunday August 14).
Videos on social media showed the mall with thick black smoke billowing from all angles while emergency crews rallied to evacuate staff and shoppers.
Shocking pictures show the building almost completely destroyed with one side completely blown off.
Among the rubble civilians helped with the rescue efforts to save injured people caught in the blast, with some carried away on stretchers.
Others were pictured fleeing the horrific scene as brave fire crews headed toward the chaos with black smoke billowing in the distance.
Vehicles were also among the smouldering rubble as people stood on car bonnets and attempted to remove some of the debris to help save people strapped beneath.
Videos posted on social media show the terrifying scenes as fireworks went off like gunshots with sparks whizzing through the smoke and into the sky in all directions.
People watched it unfold in disbelief but screams of panic could be heard in the distance.
In a nearby market street behind the mall a man was filmed warning others to get away from the smoke before another huge blast sends a plume of smoke through the air towards them.
Aerial clips of the scene pictured at least 10 fire engines parked up alongside two white emergency vehicles which appear to be ambulances.
