Thursday, March 24 2005 13:27 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Texas: An explosion rocked an oil refinery in Texas City, killing at least 14 and injuring more than 100 people today (Mar 24, 2005).

Flames and black smoke billowed into the sky, reports said.

The plant in Texas City, about 56 kilometres southeast of Houston, sprawls across 1,200 acres with 30 refinery units.

Federal investigators had been dispatched to probe the incident, said a United States official.

Workers have been searching through rubble for survivors or bodies. The cause of the blast was not immediately known. A refinery site official said he was waiting for an official death toll confirmation.

The blast left a gaping hole in the earth, damaged nearby offices and vehicles. Witnesses said the blast was felt as far away as five miles.