UPDATE
BBC NEWS | Americas | Blast hits New York oil plantThe explosion started a massive fire
A massive explosion has struck an oil and gas facility on Staten Island, on the outskirts of New York City.
Fire engulfed a barge in the waterway known as Arthur Kill at about 1010 local time (1510 GMT), according to reports.
The cause of the blast is unclear, but one report says it happened on board the barge as it was being unloaded.
A BBC correspondent in New York, Stephen Evans, says there has been no indication of any terrorist attack.
Plumes of black smoke are darkening the sky between New York City and New Jersey and can be seen for many miles.
There are no details of any casualties so far.
Firefighters are reported to be on their way to the scene in the Port Mobil area of Staten Island.
The Staten Island borough president James Molinaro is on his way to the fire, a spokeswoman at his office told BBC News Online.
Police are controlling traffic, keeping people away from the area.
Our correspondent says the Staten Island facility pipes supplies to large areas of the US from the north-east to mid-western states, and the three New York-area airports.
Oil prices rose by almost a dollar per barrel on world markets after news of the blast.