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Explosion, fire engulf Ohio mall after construction crew pierces gas line

WATCH ABOVE: A massive explosion rocked a Columbus, Ohio strip mall on Wednesday, after construction workers struck a high-pressure gas line causing a leak – Dec 22, 2016

Firefighters responded to a massive fire after a gas line explosion in central Ohio on Wednesday.

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Authorities say no injuries were reported in the blast that occurred at a Columbus strip mall.

READ MORE: Driver crashes into gas line near Detroit; sparks massive explosion, evacuations

“It sounded like a bomb going off,” John Barker told WCMH. “I’ve heard a lot of explosions, being overseas, military, prior military experience. That’s pretty damn loud.”

City fire Battalion Chief Steve Martin says a company was using a machine to bore beneath the street when it struck a high-pressure gas line.

Workers at a Domino’s pizza restaurant and a nearby clinic fled the two buildings after smelling gas. The restaurant then exploded and a fire broke out.

“I didn’t know what it was at first,” said resident James McKinney. “I came outside and I saw the flames and the smoke and stuff, and then I heard the firemen, I saw people running across the street. It was crazy.”

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Gas company crews eventually were able to reach an underground valve and shut off the gas about two hours after the explosion.

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