ROSTOV-ON-DON, August 6 (RIA Novosti) - A blaze in the central market in Nazran, a city in Russia's southern republic of Ingushetia, destroyed an area of 900 square meters (9,680 sq ft), a spokesman for the republic's emergencies ministry said on Thursday.

The blaze broke out on Wednesday evening when electricians were working on a transformer and a live cable fell on to a van parked below. Sparks ignited a gas cylinder on the vehicle which caught fire and the subsequent blaze spread to neighboring storefronts.

"According to our figures, an area of 900 square meters was damaged by the fire, including 12 stores," the spokesman said.

Earlier reports said four people were treated for burns, while another 21 people suffered from strokes and cardiac problems.