TAIYUAN - Blasts ripped through a restaurant in north China's Shanxi Province Wednesday night, killing two people and injuring over 150 others.

At least 12 others were severely wounded, safety watchdog in the city of Shuozhou said.

The explosion of natural gas pipes was suspected to be the cause of the accident after an initial investigation.

The city has established special groups for rescue, medical treatment and investigation work.

Among the 155 injured, dozens are fire fighters as they were at the scene when the final blow occurred.

Three trucks of local fire-fighting brigade were damaged, according to a Xinhua report at site.

Witnesses said they heard the explosions around 9:20 p.m., and they also smelled gas.

The two-story building housing the restaurant showed signs of having caught fire, and glass of nearby buildings was scattered on the streets.