At least 22 people have been killed and many others injured in an oil pipeline explosion in central Mexico, local officials say.
The blast in Puebla state is thought to have been caused by thieves attempting to steal fuel from the pipline, although this has not been confirmed.
A cloud of thick, black smoke could be seen over the site of the blast just after dawn.
TV images showed people rushing from their homes for safety, AFP said.
'Rivers of fire'Puebla State Secretary Valentin Meneses said the explosion injured 32 people as well as destroying 32 houses and damaging scores more in San Martin Texmelucan - a small community about 80km (50 miles) east of Mexico City.
"A criminal gang punctured the pipeline of state-owned Pemex, which spilled fuel out of control because of the high degree of pressure.
"The streets began to flood, then came a spark and we saw rivers of fire in the streets," he said.
Authorities estimated that the resulting spill affected a 5km radius, and that the main blast was followed by four smallers explosions, AP news agency said.
The pipeline is operated by state oil monopoly Pemex which said it had shut it down.
source : bbc.co.uk
