THUNDER BAY, Ont. — A natural-gas pipeline explosion in northern Ontario forced the evacuation of much of a small town late Saturday night, according to provincial police.

The TransCanada pipeline ruptured at around 11 p.m. Saturday, creating a massive fireball about two kilometres outside of Beardmore, Ont. The blast could apparently be seen by pilots flying overhead.

Ontario Provincial Police Sgt. Greg Moore said the blast led to the evacuation of four or five blocks in Beardmore, about 170 kilometres northeast of Thunder Bay, Ont.

Moore said there were no injuries.

Hundreds of evacuees spent much of the night at a community centre in town, but were allowed to return their homes on Sunday morning, he said.

Police are expected to remain on site for 48 hours as clean-up crews investigate the cause of the blast.

Foul play has not been ruled out.