A pipeline explosion started a fire in a Beijing community, killing one person and injuring two others on Sunday afternoon, fire fighters said.

An explosion in an underground gas pipeline in Haidian District at about 1 p.m., started a fire in a neighboring residential building, according to the city fire brigade.

Fire fighters rescued eight residents trapped in the building and evacuated more than 160 others.

The blaze was put out around 2:30 p.m. with the help of 22 fire trucks.

Initial investigations suggest the explosion was caused by construction workers accidentally damaging the pipeline.

Source:Xinhua