Screencapture from a video showing a massive explosion bursting from a large warehouse fire near Beirut's port Tuesday. - Screencapture Via Sputnik

Screencapture from a video showing a massive explosion bursting from a large warehouse fire near Beirut's port Tuesday.

Screencapture Via Sputnik

A enormous explosion rocked the Lebanese capital, Beirut, Tuesday evening near the city’s port area, CNN reports.

Lebanon state-run NNA news reported that a fire broke out in a warehouse used for storing fireworks near the Beirut port. More recent reports suggest that the warehouse was storing confiscated explosives.

Ten firefighters battling the warehouse fire have been reported missing after the blast, CNN reports.

Meanwhile, a CNN producer described the scene at a Beirut emergency room following the blast as “chaos.” Nearly 400 injured are reported by just one hospital in the city.

The explosion caused massive damage to the surrounding area and raised a enormous red cloud of smoke over the city. Homes up to 10 kilometers away were reported to be damaged.

Video from different angles show a large fire in the port area from which the towering explosion burst.

The Lebanese Red Cross is calling on its personnel to report for duty. Red Cross teams are trying to reach the blast scene, a spokesperson reported.

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