DALLAS -- Explosions at a Dallas facility that sells gas canisters injured three people Wednesday and shut down Interstate 30 at Interstate 35E near downtown Dallas, forcing evacuations within a half-mile, reported KXAS-TV in Dallas.

The three-alarm gas fire at Southwest Industrial Gases Inc., located in the 500 block of South Industrial Boulevard, sparked several explosions and sent flames at least 100 feet into the air.

"It started real small at first. There was a couple of big booms, and once that started, you know, flames started going everywhere -- debris was going all over the freeway with fire attached to it," said witness Trystan Bright. "It was kind of scary. Everybody started trying to put their cars in reverse. A couple of wrecks almost occurred."

The plant is a filling station for distributors in North Texas who use and sell acetylene, GWS Welding Supply spokesman Buddy Dean said.

Video footage showed numerous small fires burning in the area as stacks of gas cylinders caught fire and exploded, sending debris flying and setting several nearby cars on fire. Officials said the canisters held acetylene and propane gas.

Most of the cylinders were likely full, Dean said.

The explosions reached a peak before 10 a.m. Fire crews began fighting the flames after 11 a.m.

Two men were taken to Parkland Hospital in serious condition. The men suffered serious burns to their faces, chests and arms, but they were alert and talking to doctors, the television station reported.

A third victim was taken to Methodist Dallas Medical Center. That person's condition is not yet known.

Employees at the nearby Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals of Texas were evacuated. Animals were moved to a safer location in the building, an SPCA spokeswoman said.

Dallas County's main jail and criminal courts building are at the edge of the evacuation zone, but officials said operations there haven't been interrupted.

Highways Close; Rail Service Suspended

Westbound I-30 was shut down at Ervay Street, and eastbound I-30 was closed at North Beckley Avenue. Northbound I-35E was shut down at Eighth Street, and southbound I-35E was blocked off at Hi Line Drive.

Industrial Boulevard and the Commerce Street bridge were also shut down, the television station reported.

Dallas Area Rapid Transit rail service was suspended to the Convention Center and Cedars stations.

A bus bridge was operating between Eighth and Corinth streets and the West End stations. DART also was rerouting several bus routes around the affected area with some significant delays in the downtown area. The Trinity Railway Express was operating normally.

The Environmental Protection Agency said it has sent emergency responders to the scene to monitor the air.