”We thought it was a plane crash”... 7,300 gas cylinders explode in 10 minutes - South Korean report

A series of explosions occurred in portable gas cylinders stored in the parking lot of a large supermarket in Busan, causing chaos and forcing nearby residents to evacuate.
According to fire officials, a series of gas cylinder explosions occurred at around 11:39 a.m. on the 31st in the parking lot of a large supermarket in Gangseo-gu, Busan.
The accident caused fires in about 10 cars parked nearby, shattering windows and causing damage worth 90.3 million won (about 10.2 million yen), but no casualties.
It was reported that as many as 7,300 butane gas bottles exploded in the accident. At the time of the explosion, a loud roar was heard, and a column of smoke and fire rose up, causing a flood of calls to the fire department.
Mr. A, who worked at a nearby store at the time, said, "The sound of explosions continued for about five to 10 minutes," and added, "All the employees in the nearby shopping district evacuated, refuge from the fire as it spread.
"I folded up all the chairs that were spread out in front of the store, thinking that something might happen," he said. Mr. B, who runs a cafe nearby, said, "At first, the explosion sounded so loud that I thought it was a plane crash."
"I tried to call the police, but everyone else was calling, so I couldn't get through," he said in surprise. After receiving the report of the accident, 97 firefighters and 27 vehicles, including a fire engine, were deployed, and the fire was contained.
The fire was put out about 20 minutes after it started, at around 11:55 a.m. The fire is believed to have been caused by a lit cigarette butt, and police and fire departments are currently investigating the exact cause of the fire.