A car bomb exploded in front of a hotel in central Baghdad on Wednesday, partially destroying the three-story building and killing at least three people, police said.

At least three gutted cars were seen in front of the al-Shaheen hotel, only their metal skeletons remaining. Another car was half burned a little distance away in the street in Karadah district. What looked like pieces of flesh lay on the ground in front of the hotel.

Karadah police chief Kadhim Khalas said three people were killed and four injured.

He said one of the destroyed cars was rigged with explosives, but didn't know if it was parked or moving at the time of the blast.

The hotel's concrete walls were torn away, leaving gaping holes. The walls that remained were blackened. Several fire trucks tried to douse the fire in the building.

Another police official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the hotel was packed with guests at the time of the blast.

The hotel is close to the former U.S. Embassy and a police station.

The blast occurred a day after two roadside bombs exploded west and south of Baghdad, killing six U.S. troops and two Iraqis. Also Tuesday, two CNN employees were shot and killed by unidentified assailants on a highway, just outside Baghdad when they were driving back from an assignment.

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