(BSS/AFP) - A blast at a gas pipeline near the Syrian capital Damascus late Wednesday sparked a massive fire and put three power stations out of service.

It came two days after an explosion caused by sabotage at a gas pipeline in the country`s east.

The official SANA news agency first reported Wednesday`s explosion saying a "detonation was heard in Eastern Ghouta, near Damascus".

A government source told AFP it was an "explosion in a gas pipeline near the Tishrin power plant" that sparked a "huge fire".

Tishrin is a thermal power plant located around 36 kilometres (22 miles) southeast of Damascus.

The explosion put three power stations out of service, the Syrian Electricity Company said in a statement.

"The shutdown of these plants will lead to a decrease in the amount of electricity produced and a temporary increase in rationing hours," it said.

Abdelhamid Sallat, director of the media department at the Energy Ministry, said the effects of the blast were no longer limited to the electricity sector but had "extended to drinking water pumping and purification stations".

The explosions come at a time of rising protests over rising fuel prices, which authorities blame on the regional war with Iran.

Syria`s oil, gas and electricity production have been heavily affected by the civil war that ravaged the country between 2011 and 2024.

Syria used to produce 30 million cubic metres of gas per day for electricity generation, compared to only 8.5 million now.

The domestic gas needs are estimated at between 22 and 25 million cubic metres per day, according to Energy Minister Mohammad al-Bashir.