A huge fire broke out at an oil field near popular ecotourism spots in northeastern India on Tuesday, after gas that had spewed for two weeks from a blown-out well ignited, officials said.

The gas well at an oil field managed by state-owned Oil India started leaking in late May in Tinsukia district of Assam state, and the firm said late last week gas was still flowing “uncontrollably”.

Tuesday’s explosion sent bright orange flames and huge, black plumes of smoke high into the sky, visible 10 kilometres (6 miles) from the oil field, locals told AFP.