The blast occurred at about 9:20 Moscow time (5:20 GMT) on Friday in a liquor and food store located close to a filling station. The explosion damaged the building of the food store.

"Specialists have determined that household gas exploded in the food store 'Enigma' in Nazran. The reports of an unidentified explosive device blast do not correspond to the real situation," the press office said.

The blast killed a man and a girl aged 13-14, the press office said.

An investigative team is working at the scene of the explosion.