Another Baghdad hotel hit by car bomb

A car bomb exploded in front of a hotel in central Baghdad today, partially destroying the three-story building and gutting several cars.

At least three burned-out cars were seen in front of the al-Shaheen hotel. Karadah police chief Kadhim Khalas said three people were killed and four injured in the blast, which occurred at about 6:30 a.m. A spokesman at the US command in Baghdad, however, said one Iraqi was killed and several injured.

Parts of the hotel's concrete walls were torn away, leaving gaping holes and destroying the interior. The walls that remained were blackened.

Two other buildings nearby were badly damaged, one housing policemen assigned to protect embassies in the area, and the other a company that sells fire extinguishers.