Neighbors in Clinton, Massachusetts rushed to rescue several victims from a hot air balloon after it crashed into power lines and exploded Saturday night, reports the News Telegram.

The explosion, which one witness described as similar to a large fireworks display, occurred at 7:40 p.m., according to a statement from the Federal Aviation Administration. The agency is investigating the crash.

Dennis MacDonald and his girlfriend saw the balloon drifting lower and lower as they looked out a front window of his Brook Street home. They could see that the balloon was not going to clear the power lines. “You could see the operator was trying to pump up the propane,” said MacDonald. “It just didn’t go up.”

After hitting the power lines, the vessel exploded and caught fire.

“Big explosions,” said Mr. MacDonald, 62. “Two of them.”

Bright lights flashed in the evening sky and the balloon continued into the yard of MacDonald, where it landed “perfectly,” he said. Armed with ice and towels, MacDonald rushed out of his home and helped get passengers out of the basket. There were about seven of them, according to MacDonald.

“I saw two that were severely burnt,” said MacDonald.

Police and fire officials also rushed to the scene. Video taken by witnesses to the accident show a police cruiser arriving almost instantly. The cruiser was following the balloon, said one witness, according to the Telegram.

The incident is still under investigation. The Federal Aviation Administration told MacDonald no one is allowed on his property. On Sunday afternoon, the balloon was still in his yard.

About 600 customers lost power a result of the accident, said David Graves, spokesman for National Grid.

The Police Department has not released the names of the injured or the pilot. Based on the registration number on the balloon, Damn Yankee Balloons of Dixfield, Maine is the owner.