• Everyone seems to have been evacuated from the building.
• The cause of the blast, which some speculate was gas, is under investigation.

A blast so powerful that it blew out windows, ripped away bricks from a westside building wall, and injured a dozen people, including six children, is under investigation early Monday, as demolition crews try to stabilize the structure.

Fire officials told the Free Press that everyone seems to have been evacuated from the 12-unit apartment structure based on thermal imaging from drones, but the building will need to be demolished.

At least two of those harmed were hospitalized in critical condition, officials said.

The apparent explosion went off before 4 a.m. in the 13000 block of Littlefield Street on the city’s west side, according to fire officials and TV news crews reporting from the scene early Monday.

Detroit Fire Commissioner Charles Simms told reporters on the scene in a news briefing that if not for the fast-acting rescue crews, the injuries — and damage — could have been far worse.

When firefighters arrived, officials said, some residents were preparing to jump out of windows, but first responders, who arrived quickly, were able to safely rescue them and take the injured to hospitals for treatment.

It’s still unclear what caused the blast, officials said.

But some news reports speculated it was natural gas.

One of the supporting walls looks as if were about to cave in.

The explosion also triggered a Wireless Emergency Alerts system, part of America’s emergency preparedness system. The cell phone alerts are issued when there is dangerous weather, missing children, and other critical situations.

Among those injured: a 30-year-old man with severe burns to most of his body, a 27-year-old woman, who is in critical condition, and a three-year-old girl, who also was harmed in the fire.

In addition to firefighters and police, homeland security officials reportedly were on hand to investigate the blast, officials said, but residents were able, with rescue escorts, to retrieve some of their belongings.

Contact Frank Witsil: 313-222-5022 or [email protected].

This story was updated with new information.