Wellington, Jul 19 (AP) Six people have been injured and dozens of homes evacuated in the New Zealand city of Christchurch after a huge gas explosion destroyed one home and damaged others.

The explosion Friday was felt for miles around, with some fearing it might have been an earthquake or a bomb. Footage of the aftermath shows the home was reduced to a pile of wood and rubble with flames coming out.

Authorities have confirmed it was a gas explosion although say they're still investigating the cause.

Neighbor Ian Lackie told the Stuff website that he felt a pressure wave surge through his body and thought it might have been a plane crash. He says roofing tiles rained down like hail.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand say five neighboring properties were affected by fire. (AP)

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)