Flames flashed 400 feet into the air Thursday but no injuries were reported when a natural gas pipe exploded near the Central Texas town of Stairtown.

The explosion happened about 8 a.m. near the town of Stairtown, about 5 miles northwest of Luling and 40 miles south of Austin. Fire officials in Lockhart said the explosion was felt there.

"Our house shook. We didn't know what it was. My husband went outside and he told us to get dressed and get in the car, we're leaving," said Kristina White, who lives nearby. "I was really scared that something bigger was going to happen."

Officials say a 36-inch gas line exploded near the Oasis gas company, forcing residents within a quarter mile to evacuate. Crews shut off the gas, allowing firefighters to put out the flames.

Fire crews described the flames as shooting up to 400 feet in the air and said the amount of heat was immense. They were watching for hot spots.

"It wasn't a fire. This thing was roaring," said Chuck Cutshall, assistant chief, McMahan Fire Department. "We're standing over here and when that fire was burning you couldn't hardly talk on your radios it was that loud. It definitely was an explosion."

Evacuated residents will not be allowed back into their homes until the all clear is given.

Officials with the American Red Cross of Central Texas said volunteers were providing water and snacks to crews at the scene and people forced out of their homes.