(Video) Three killed in gas explosion at Chinese BBQ restaurant

Three people were killed and more than 30 injured when gas exploded at a BBQ restaurant in China on Thursday. 

The explosion in the northeastern Shenyang city of Liaoning Province shattered windows of nearby buildings and halted traffic, state media reported. 

More than 100 firefighters were sent to the scene.

A source said that a chef at the restaurant forgot to turn off the gas when he went off work the night before. When the waiters went to work on Thursday morning, they turned on the lights and triggered the explosion. 

The first death reported was a waiter. 

The injured have been sent to the nearby Shenyang Emergency Center and other medical centers for treatment, source said.

Nothing was left of the restaurant except structural beams, according to videos circulating on Chinese social media.

In addition, the accident caused damage to the electricity lines, leading to power outages in the surrounding areas. Repair is also underway.

Authorities are investigating the cause of the explosion. -- Reuters and staff