Three people were killed and 20 injured after a gas pipe explosion at a factory next to a school in Thailand today (October 22).

The blaze erupted at the building in Samut Prakan province shortly after 1 pm local time as flames reached more than 100ft in the air.

The bright orange flames could be seen up to 50 miles away in neighbouring Bangkok.

Terrified locals fled from their homes and other building in the area, with at least 20 cars and 10 houses damaged by the blast.

Dozens of fire trucks raced to the scene to bring the fire under control. The fire sent plumes of smoke into the air and they filled the sky on the approaching flight path to the country's Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK).

Electricity to neighbouring buildings was cut following the blast and the fire, which was brought under control by 4 pm.

Wutthikorn Stithit, senior executive vice president of PTT's gas business unit, said the explosion came from a gas pipe leading to the Asia Industrial Estate Suvarnabhumi.

In a statement, the company said the explosion was caused by a gas leak from one of the pipes. They are investigating the explosion.