Oil pipeline blaze kills 27 in Mexico

Mexico City : An oil pipeline explosion in central Mexico early on Sunday killed at least 27 people, including 12 children, police said on Monday.

The pipeline maintained by Pemex caught fire after the explosion in San Martin Texmelucan, affecting an estimated 5-kms radius and destroyed everything, including homes and vehicles under intense heat, local media said.

Besides 27 deaths, more than 50 people were wounded.

It was not known immediately what was the caus of the explosion, but initial reports blamed oil spill and theft that may might have ignited the pipeline.

Federal officials said that the explosion and fire were under control.

President Felipe Calderon has condoled the death and said the government would bear the cost of the treatment of the injured people.