Blast, blaze damages apartments, kills 1 in Houston

HOUSTON - A fire ignited by an explosion damaged more than a score of apartments and killed one people in the US city of Houston Thursday, local media reported.

The incident happened Thursday afternoon at a two-story apartment building in northwest Houston, the Houston Chronicle quoted officials with the city fire department as saying.

A total of 16 apartments were damaged and about 80 residents were displaced, the report said. Local TV footage showed huge columns of black smoke billowing from the scene and fire licking the rooftop of the building.

One death was confirmed in the fire. Authorities have not released any information about the victim.

Witnesses said they heard an explosion prior to the fire. The force of the explosion sent pieces of glass into the lawn. A wall collapsed as firefighters put out the fire.

The owners of the complex said there was no natural gas connected to the building, so they were not sure what fueled the fire.

Red Cross said volunteers will be helping those families displaced by the fire.