SEATTLE — Authorities say nine Seattle fire fighters are injured and residents have been evacuated following a natural gas explosion.

Fire department spokeswoman Corey Orvold says crews are fighting flames following the blast early Wednesday.

She says all the injured fire fighters are being treated for minor wounds at a hospital.

The blast and fire occurred in the city’s Greenwood neighborhood after fire fighters responded to a report of a natural gas leak.

Orvold says that about 40 minutes after they arrived an explosion rocked the area.