At least three people have been injured in an apparent explosion and fire at a business in central Los Angeles.
The apparent blast shook storefronts and windows in the neighbourhood, according to witnesses.
Photos show a blaze burning out of control inside a current or former textile shop and debris strewn all over the floor as the Los Angeles Fire Department declared a major emergency.
A spokesperson for the brigade, which had almost 140 firefighters at the scene, wrote online: "Defensive firefighting operations on arrival at apparent explosion with heavy fire.
"At least three persons injured."
Witness Evan Menzel told Mirror Online: "I was at home... and I heard an explosion that shook my apartment.
Did you witness the explosion or the fire in downtown Los Angeles? Email webnews@mirror.co.uk.
"It sounded as if a building had collapsed just outside my window.
"There was immediately smoke and flames."
Another witness said: "Not sure what building [it was]. I was at the Go Get Em Tiger coffee shop, sitting down working with my dog, and all of sudden there was a loud boom.
"It shook all the store fronts. The glass windows were shaking.
"I walked to my car and left the area just to be safe."
The witness posted video of smoke billowing into the sky, writing on Twitter: "Was at the row/old American apparel factory when something exploded.
"All the storefronts started shaking and the glass on the windows started shaking and then we all turned around and saw this huge smoke cloud."
Mr Menzel, who posted a video of a plume of black smoke drifting into the air, wrote: "Something just exploded on 7th St just w of Alameda in #dtla.
"Big boom then flames."
A local artist tweeted footage of a column of smoke, writing: "I’m drawing in my studio and was startled by a loud explosion. I hope everyone is okay."
Witnesses said they heard additional explosions after the initial blast.
The cause of the explosion and fire, which happened at about 12pm local time on Saturday, was not known.
