An explosion at a gasoline refueling station in Ghana's capital, Accra, killed about 90 people, many of whom had sought shelter there from torrential rain, on Wednesday night, the fire brigade said.

The blast was set off by a fire that erupted at a nearby truck terminal and then spread to the gas station and other buildings, fire brigade spokesman Prince Billy Anaglate said.

It ripped through the filling station, operated by GOIL, shattering windows and walls and reducing the station to rubble.