Three people were killed and one remains trapped in the debris after an explosion at a residential building on Friday morning in northeast China's Liaoning Province.

Part of the building collapsed after the blast at around 5 a.m. in Huludao City, according to a statement from the city publicity office.

One person died at the scene, and two died in hospital. Eight residents were rescued and three passers-by remain in hospital.

"I thought it was earthquake," said a resident who was caught in the blast: "I rushed out of the building immediately, and found smoke pouring from the building."

The explosion is thought to have been caused by a gas leak.

A similar explosion in Huludao City on May 31 left two dead and 11 injured.