Photos: W.Virginia Gas Line Explodes, Burns Homes And Roads

Flames burn from a gas line explosion across Interstate 77 near Sissonville, W.Va., Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2012. At least five homes went up in flames Tuesday afternoon and a badly damaged section of Interstate 77 was shut down in both directions near Sissonville after a natural gas explosion triggered an hour-long inferno that officials say spanned about a quarter-mile. (AP Photo/Joe Long)

A natural gas pipe near Charleston, West Virginia had exploded in flames and caused huge fire that damaged roads, buildings and houses.

The massive flames shoot 50 to 75 feet into the air before the fire was extinguished.

The explosion occurred between Sissonville and Pocatalico in a 20-inch transmission line owned by NiSource Inc.

The incident happened at about 12:40 p.m. on Tuesday.

Associated Press reported that four homes went up in flames and collapsed in charred heaps after an inferno that was caused by the explosion raged for at least an hour, melting guardrails and pavement on a swath of Interstate 77. 

Five other homes had extensive external damage.

Interstate 77  was badly damaged and was closed to traffic in both directions.

The blaze’s extreme heat appeared to have shifted a bridge on the interstate.

Several people who lives around the area were injured.

This is a disaster.

(Please click the photos for bigger images)

Firetrucks are ready as flames from a gas line explosion riase near Sissonville, W.Va., Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2012. West Virginia State Police say several structures are on fire and about a mile of Interstate 77 is shut down in both directions. (AP Photo/The Charleston Gazette/Rusty Marks)

Flames are seen from a gas line explosion across Interstate 77 near Sissonville, W.Va., Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2012. West Virginia State Police say several structures are on fire and about a mile of Interstate 77 is shut down in both directions. (AP Photo/Joe Long)

Flames fill the sky from a gas line explosion across Interstate 77 near Sissonville, W.Va., Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2012. West Virginia State Police say several structures are on fire and about a mile of Interstate 77 is shut down in both directions. (AP Photo/Joe Long)

This image provided by the West Virginia State Police shows a fireball erupting across Interstate 77 from a gas line explosion in Sissonville, W. Va.,Tuesday Dec. 11, 2012. At least five homes went up in flames Tuesday afternoon and a badly damaged section of Interstate 77 was shut down in both directions near Sissonville after a natural gas explosion triggered an hour-long inferno that officials say spanned about a quarter-mile. (AP Photo/West Virginia State Police)

This image provided by the Kanawha County Emergency Services shows flames erupting across Interstate 77 from a gas line explosion in Sissonville, W. Va., Tuesday Dec. 11, 2012. At least five homes went up in flames Tuesday afternoon and a badly damaged section of Interstate 77 was shut down in both directions near Sissonville after a major gas line explosion triggered an hour-long inferno that officials say spanned about a quarter-mile. (AP Photo/Kanawha County Emergency Services)

A helicopter files above flames from a gas line explosion across Interstate 77 near Sissonville, W.Va., Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2012. At least five homes went up in flames Tuesday afternoon and a badly damaged section of Interstate 77 was shut down in both directions near Sissonville after a natural gas explosion triggered an hour-long inferno that officials say spanned about a quarter-mile. (AP Photo/Joe Long)