A powerful explosion followed by fire at a chemical plant in Jacksonville, Florida, created havoc at the scene and led to the death of three people and to the injuring of at least another 14, who were rushed to the nearest hospital.

According to eyewitnesses who spoke to reporters from The Florida Times-Union, the debris from the explosion flew several stories into the air from the plant which produces chemical solvents and fuel additives.

Ten injured were taken to Shands Jacksonville hospital for medical care. According to a spokesman present at the hospital, one patient is critical, three are fair, five are good and a condition was still unknown for the 10th patient.

Another injured was taken to Baptist Medical Center, but there are no details regarding his condition. One was taken to St. Lukes Hospital and he is reportedly in a stable condition. Where the other injured were taken is unknown.

All the hospitals in the area were put on mass-casualty alert.

A probe of the chemical plant explosion will began on Thursday, when investigators from the U.S. Chemical Safety Board and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration are expected to arrive at the scene.

Fire crews of about 100 members and every hazardous-materials unit in Jacksonville were immediately deployed at the chemical plant to contain the fire that broke out Wednesday afternoon.

The cause of the blast was not yet established. The explosion occurred at approximately 1:30 p.m. at the T2 Laboratories plant, across the street from the JEA power plant. Due to the large amount of chemicals present at the plant, the "incredibly dangerous for the first responders," fire department spokesman Tom Francis said. "Explosions were generating all kinds of side brush fires and other kinds of blazes."

A 24-year-old youngster, Derek Pratt, was flying a remote control airplane at a field situated about a mile away. That’s when he heard the explosions.

"Those shock waves came straight through these hills," he told The Florida Times-Union. "It was like a great ball of fire in the air."