North Carolina Explosion: One Person Dead And Over A Dozen Injured

A blast in Durham, North Carolina, on Wednesday morning has resulted in one fatality and 15 injuries.

After a contractor drilled into a two-inch gas line located in a sidewalk it caused the explosion, resulting in the partial collapse of a building occupied by Prescient Co., Durham Police Department spokesman Wil Glenn said at a news conference, as reported by CNBC.

A responding firefighter was among one of those seriously injured in the incident. It is unclear how many people were inside the building at the time of the explosion.

"Half the block is destroyed," Jim Rogalski, who works across the street from the blast, told CNN. "Lots of injuries. Our office across the street was blown out. It was terrifying. Glass and debris everywhere. No one killed in our office but several injuries -- deep cuts, head lacerations."

He said the explosion sounded like a bomb, adding, "Windows blown out a block away. Our office was filled with glass, dust, and debris."