A manhunt is underway after at least seven people were injured when a gunman opened fire on cars on a Kentucky highway in what has been described as a “crazy scene.”

Police said the suspect, who remains at large, should be considered “armed and dangerous” and people have been urged to stay home.

The shooting happened near the town of London, about 75 miles south of Lexington, around 5:30 p.m. local time on Saturday.

Deputy Gilbert Acciardo of the Laurel County Sheriff’s Office told a news conference Sunday: “When our first two units arrived on scene, they said it was a madhouse — people on the side of the road, emergency lights on, bullet holes, windows broken, nine vehicles shot up.

“Can you imagine? Just chaotic.”

Five people were shot and all are in stable condition, although some have “very serious” injuries, including one person who was hit in the face, Mr Acciardo said.

Two other people were injured in an accident caused by the shooting.

Officers had been on strike all night because of the darkness and would resume searching a remote wooded area at dawn on Sunday, he said.

Mr Acciardo added: “We have the area under control now. It’s a very fluid investigation. Our people are still on the scene. Our special response team is there. We are trying to find a shooter there.”

According to the sheriff’s office, a “person of interest” has been identified in connection with the shooting and people are warned not to approach him.

His name is 32-year-old Joseph A Couch.

But Mr Acciardo warned that authorities “have not yet established that this is the person who fired the weapon”.

In a video statement, London Mayor Randall Weddle said: “There are no fatalities at this time. Thankfully no one has died but we ask for your continued prayers.”

He added: “We are asking people not to go outside if there is shooting as there may be emergency services nearby.

“It’s important to know that you are safe.

“We have multiple agencies in this community, in the city of London and in Laurel County.”

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Kentucky State Police Trooper Scottie Pennington wrote on Facebook: “The suspect has not been apprehended at this time and we urge people to remain indoors.”

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear wrote in a post on the social media platform: “I am receiving initial reports from the Kentucky State Police and our Office of Homeland Security. Together, we are actively monitoring the situation and providing support in any way we can.

“Please pray for everyone involved in this.”

The motorway, which was closed 14 kilometres north of London after the shooting, was reopened about three hours later, according to police.