DAMASCUS - A car bomb tore through a gas station in the Syrian capital Damascus' district of Barzeh late Thursday night, killing at least six people and injuring 27 others, local media reported.

The blast targeted Qasioun gas station near the Hamish military hospital, the report said, adding that huge fire has been caused as fire fighters arrived at the scene and managed to extinguish the fire.

The report placed the initial death toll at six, adding that huge material losses have been caused.

Blasts have become increasingly common in Syria at a time the UN said more than 60,000 people had died in the 22-month Syrian conflict.