BEIJING (AFP) - A gas explosion ripped through a hotel in the southern Chinese city of Zhuhai on Friday (Sept 11), but miraculously left only three people injured.

The blast happened at about 9am in a crowded neighbourhood, according to a statement by the public security bureau in the city's Doumen district.

Video footage shot from a car showed onlookers watching smoke lick the outside of the building before the loud explosion and fireball sent witnesses scampering for cover.

About 55 firefighters were deployed and the fire was put out within an hour, CCTV reported, citing the Zhuhai fire department.

Of the three people injured, two had minor injuries, state broadcaster CCTV said.

All occupants in the damaged buildings - which included shops and homes - were taken to safety and officials were investigating the cause of the blast, the local public security bureau said.

Zhuhai is a major export hub in southern Chinese province of Guangdong.