explosion and fire have rocked the port of the British territory of Gibraltar, injuring two people

An explosion and fire have rocked the port of the British territory of Gibraltar, injuring two people, a police spokesman has told the BBC.

The blast took place at the territory's main fuel storage facility, close to a cruise ship.

One of those hurt received minor burns, while the other suffered more serious injuries, according to reports. Emergency workers are at the scene.

Police are investigating the cause of the explosion.

The blast took place at a tank containing diesel to refuel ships on the northern part of the harbour.

"The lid of the tank was blown off by the blast," he told AFP news agency. "Two people were injured, one very seriously, and both are in hospital."

He said the possibility of another explosion could not be ruled out.

Dense black smoke could be seen from the city centre, according to AFP.

Southampton-based cruise ship Independence of the Seas had been due to leave at 1600 local time (1400 GMT), just before the blast.

The ship - which arrived in Gibraltar on Tuesday morning - escaped unharmed, but was forced to pull out to sea for safety, according to the Gibraltar Chronicle.

Gibraltar is a 6.5 sq km (2.6 sq mile) British territory of around 30,000 people off the tip of southern Spain.

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