A large fire was burning in Beirut yesterday in the city's industrial port area. While people from miles around had their phones and cameras out filming the fire and its large smoke cloud, a massive explosion knocked people to the ground and generated a shockwave for over ten miles that was caught on video from numerous angles. Amidst the billowing clouds of smoke - which almost looked like a nuclear explosion and a mushroom cloud - hundreds have been injured and some killed while shattered windows and damaged storefronts and buildings have been reported in neighborhoods throughout the city. The blast was heard in Cyprus, 150 miles away.
Officials described the damage in the city as "widespread" and it's been straining city services. Videos here shows just how big the explosion was: