A gas explosion has ignited flames in dozens of homes, one person dead and at least 12 injured in Massachusetts. 

One person died and several were injured and scores of Massachusetts residents were forced to evacuate their homes.

Andover Fire Rescue Chief Michael B.Mansfield told:”It looked like Armageddon, it really did. I have been in the fire service for almost 39 years and i have never seen anything like this in my entire career.”

The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency has blamed the blasts on over-pressurised gas lines.

The governor of Massachusetts, Charlie Baker, said: “This is still very much an active scene. There will be plenty of time later tonight, tomorrow morning and into the next day to do some of the work around determining exactly what happened and why.”

60 to 100 fires were burning across the area and several people were injured, according to the Methuen police chief, Joseph Solomon.