Firefighters work at the accident scene following an explosion at a gas station in the city of Makhachkala, Russia. (Photo: AFP/VNA)

The fire, which also injured more than 100 people, started at an auto repair shop on the roadside of a highway in Dagestani capital Makhachkala on Monday night and caused blasts as it spread to the nearby filling station, officials said.

It took firefighters more than 3-1/2 hours to put out the fire that spread into an area of 600 square metres, TASS reported, citing a statement from the Russian emergency service.