A massive sinkhole has swallowed more than a dozen cars in an IHOP parking lot in the US state of Mississippi, reports say.

The gigantic hole opened up outside the restaurant in Meridian, Mississippi, on Saturday night.

Witnesses said they heard a series of booms before power went out and the sinkhole, which is about 50 feet (15 meters) wide and 600 feet (180 meters) long, opened up.

Emergency responders arrived at the scene about 7:15 p.m. CT Saturday. Officials said that at least 15 vehicles were submerged in mud and paving but that no one was injured in the incident.

“We received a call earlier this evening of a sinkhole opening up at the new IHOP restaurant,” Meridian fire department chief battalion Wayne Cook said.

“Upon arrival, we found multiple vehicles in the ditch. At this time, we are trying to stabilize this and keep everyone away. As far as the investigation side of it, that's going to be everybody who is involved with this.”

It is not known yet what exactly caused the sinkhole, but the city has seen at least 3 inches (7 centimeters) of rain this weekend.