A huge fire has erupted at a petrol storage site near Ukraine capital Kiev, according to local authorities.

The Ukrainian government said that several firemen have been killed in the "gigantic" blaze and subsequent explosion in Vasylkiv, 40km from Kiev.

According to RIA-Novosti news site, there were 180 firefighters at the facility when the blast took place.

Ukrainian interior minister Arsen Avakov said that six firemen are missing and six more were taken to the hospital with severe burns.