An explosion in downtown Nipawin, Sask. has killed one person and injured at least five others.

Norm Rudock, the station manager for local radio station CJNE, told CTV Newsnet that the explosion took place inside a downtown meat shop and that it was "completely demolished."

"The awning from the front of the store was right across the street leaning up against some buildings and the meat freezer was blown across the back alley," he said. "There was (nothing left) but a cement slab with a few shreds of lumber on it."

At least two other buildings were "lost" and some other businesses were damaged, he said.

Peggy Ratcliffe, a spokesperson for the Kelsey Trail Health Region told CTV.ca that reports out of Nipawin suggest that the explosion was related to natural gas.

She said that two injured people have been transferred to a larger urban hospital, suggesting that they suffered serious injuries. Another two remain in hospital in Nipawin and one has been treated and released.

The downtown has been cordoned off by emergency officials. The blast happened at about 11 a.m. local time.

There are unconfirmed reports that a backhoe might have hit a natural gas line while doing construction work.

Rudock said some of the people hurt were in the back alley behind the meat shop and thought they were part of a construction crew, including a backhoe operator.

The explosion was believed to have occurred BJ's Sausage and Meats, just off the town's main street, Ratcliffe said.

The local fire department was being aided by another department from nearby Carrot River, Sask., and there were concerns that the fire could reach a hardware and sporting goods store, which is stocked with flammable items like ammunition and paint.

Nipawin, a community of 4,000, is 250 kilometres northeast of Saskatoon.