Houses explode in Indianapolis, 2 killed

(CNN) — At least two people were killed when two houses exploded in Indianapolis early Sunday, according to a fire official. The cause of the blast is not yet known.

Witnesses described the scene as looking like a war zone, spokeswoman Bonnie Hensley from the Indianapolis Fire Department said.

The explosion also damaged 18 other homes nearby, according to authorities and witnesses.

“The debris field is blocks; there’s insulation and construction materials scattered,” Hensley said.

About 200 residents were evacuated from the neighborhood to an elementary school, authorities said. More than a dozen of them will spend the night in a shelter.