Explosion hits reception hall at Israeli town south of Tel Aviv

JERUSALEM (AP) -- An explosion rocked a reception hall in the Israeli town of Rishon Letzion late Tuesday, and Israel Radio said several people were injured.

There were no immediate details on the blast, which came as Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon began meeting with President Bush in Washington.

Israeli police spokesman Ofer Sivan told The Associated Press the explosion occurred in a nightclub and that there were injuries.

It was not clear what caused the explosion. The radio and witnesses said part of the hall had collapsed.

An Israeli man who gave his first name as Oren told Israel radio he was nearby at the time of the explosion. "I just ran away from there. I don't know if it's a terror attack," he said.

Policed and rescue workers were racing to the scene.