Propane tank explodes in Ohio city

A massive propane tanker explosion in a US city shook homes more than two kilometres away.

The nearly 4000 litre tanker exploded without warning just before 11am in Westlake, Ohio and created a large fire with huge fireballs towering above the city.

Police evacuated people from the wider area, while others in nearby buildings were asked to stay put, ABC reports.

Traffic had been diverted and the public were asked to keep away from the area while the fire was contained and the site was cleared.

No injuries had been reported and all of the construction workers on a site nearby were accounted for.

Witnesses told ABC the explosion blew out the windows in surrounding buildings.

The fire was contained to the site and did not spread.

Most of the shops at the local shopping centre were back open at 11:50am.

Westlake Building Commissioner Don Grayem told ABC there were a couple dozen propane takes on the site to provide heating during the winter and the tanks which exploded were not being used, but were scheduled for removal.

It is still unknown what caused the tanker to explode.