UPDATE: Natural gas pipeline explosion rocks NW Iowa farm - KTIV News 4 Sioux City IA: News, Weather and Sports

Authorities say two men were burned when a gas line burst in to flames in a field near Hinton, Iowa.

You could see the fireball for miles. Flames, reaching heights around 200 feet.

Plymouth County Sheriff, Mike Van Otterloo, says it all started around 1:45 Wednesday afternoon. Two men were doing drainage work in a farm field near Hinton, Iowa. They were digging a trench with a Caterpillar and struck a 24 inch gas pipeline beneath the dirt.

"It was a gas line that was ruptured. And, obviously we had a fire that was out of control," said Van Otterloo.

In one of our pictures in the video above, you can see what happened to the tractor the men were using. It's covered in dirt.

Officials believe the two were able to escape without life threatening injuries.

"When they left the scene, they were conscious and alert. And, obviously, had some burns," said Van Otterloo.

The flames raged for more than an hour, until utility crews closed off valves on both ends of the pipe, letting the fire burn itself out.

It may be out, but the image it left, is burned into the minds of many.

The identities of the two men have not yet been released.