Miramichiers unhurt at marathon blast

Two Miramichi runners are in Boston running the marathon. Both are reported to be ok after an explosion near the finish line. Lori Singleton and her husband, and Paula Keating are her husband are unhurt. According to a facebook post the Keatings had left the site of the blast a few hours before it happened.

A Boston TV channel reports the following:

Two people were killed and at least 23 people were injured in two explosions that rocked the Boston Marathon steps away from the finish line.

At least two explosions were reported at the finish line of the Boston Marathon Monday.

A senior U.S. intelligence official said two more explosive devices were found near the area, and they were being dismantled.

The first blasts happened at about 2:50 p.m. near the intersection of Boylston and Exeter streets. Bloody spectators were carried away from the area, and witnesses said several victims lost limbs.

"People started throwing down the barricade and running over one another. I literally saw the garbage barrel explode, and I ran as fast as I could," said one runner.

Boston police said two people died, and at least 22 were injured. Many tired and scared runners were seen wandering around the area, desperate to find loved ones.

A doctor at Massachusetts General Hospital said the injured looked as if they "were in a war zone."

Buildings on Boylston Street, including the Mandarin Hotel, have been evacuated, and officials are now treating the area as a crime scene.

"I was turning the corner. I was near the Hynes (Convention) Center. I saw two explosions. I just turned around and ran. It was a fireball -- a huge fireball," one runner said.

The first explosion happened across from the Lenox Hotel, and the second blast was about 15 seconds later, witnesses said. White smoke could be seen rising from the blasts, and witnesses said the impact of the explosions could be felt blocks away.