Washington: Debris from US space shuttle Columbia was scattered over Nacogdoches county in Texas on February 1 as a huge explosion rocked windows and doors.

Security personnel cordoned off the area where the debris landed even as reports continued to pour in from the city and the county.

At least two houses in Nacogdoches were damaged as pieces of the spacecraft tore through the roof. No injuries have been reported as yet.

A piece, approximately three feet-by-four feet, landed in the parking lot blowing open the doors of the Commercial Bank of Texas, a local daily reported.

Piles of small debris remained scattered across the streets in downtown Nacogdoches and officials have warned residents not to touch the debris.

PTI