SHIJIAZHUANG, Jan. 18 -- One person was killed and 33 others injured in an explosion in a restaurant in north China's Hebei Province on Saturday, local authorities said.

The blast occurred around noon in a two-storey building in Sanhe City, according to sources with the city's publicity department.

The blast blew down walls and left shattered window glass everywhere. Windows of cars parked outside the restaurant were cracked in the explosion.

The injured, two of whom suffered severe injuries and are being treated in local hospitals, are mainly waiters and customers at the restaurant.

An initial investigation showed that a gas leak in the kitchen may have caused the blast.

Further investigation is underway.