MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Crews are responding to the scene of a fiery explosion in south Minneapolis and authorities are urging residents to evacuate the area.

Rebecca Virden, a spokeswoman for CenterPoint Energy, tells KSTP-TV it is too soon to know what caused the explosion early Thursday or what is on fire.

TV pictures show flames shooting high into the air near the interchange of Interstate 35W and Highway 62, at 60th Street and Nicollet Avenue.

Virden says evacuations are under way.

Minnesota Department of Transportation spokesman Kevin Gutknecht says the fire is not on Interstate 35W, but the department has closed the southbound lanes of the interstate just north of the Highway 62 because it is a distraction to drivers. He says the flames are not blowing over the roadway.

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press.