Beirut, Feb 14, SPA -- A strong explosion shook downtownBeirut on Monday in a commercial area where popular hotelsare located, killing at least six people, according towitnesses. Television footage showed one person ablazefalling out of a burning car's window. The Associated Press quoted Witnesses and a politician as saying that the explosion was apparently targeting former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, whose motorcade passed the area shortly beforehand. TV footage from the scene showed the devastated front of abuilding and flames leaping from several cars. A burningperson struggled to get out of a car via the window, fellon the ground and was helped by a bystander who used hisjacket to put out the flames. The blast severely damaged at least one large building,the facade of which was blown off, covering cars, sidewalksand the street with rubble. Heavily armed security forces cordoned off the area withyellow tape as rescue workers and investigators combed thescene apparently looking for casualties or clues to whatcaused the huge explosion. The explosion near the city's waterfront shortly beforenoon (1000GMT) shook buildings in the city center and washeard in outlying hills overlooking the Lebanese capital. Rubble and twisted debris covered a road lined withburning cars, the smoke from which enveloping the area asfirefighters carrying houses raced to douse flames. A manand a woman were seen walking in separate locations withblood running down their faces. The cause of the explosion was not immediately known.--SPA1443 Local Time 1143 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/239388