PALO PINTO, Texas -- Work crews are continuing attempts to snuff out a natural gas fire caused by an early-morning explosion that shook much of Palo Pinto County and injuring one person.

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The blast happened at about 2 a.m. near the intersection of U.S. Highway 180 and state Route 16, located near Brad, about 12 miles west of Palo Pinto and 60 miles west of Fort Worth, Palo Pinto County sheriff's dispatcher Linda Ezell said.

The blast happened when drilling crews struck a pocket of natural gas.

A pilot spotted the flames and called firefighters.

Ezell said the flash was seen as far as 100 miles in all directions, and as far north as the Red River.

Sheriff Ira Mercer said one worker was slightly injured in the explosion and no evacuations were needed in the rural, sparsely populated area.

Mercer said the blast formed a large crater and ignited secondary fires for a mile around. He said the secondary fires have been extinguished, but the residual gas continued to burn throughout the predawn hours. Several acres were burned.

One person suffered minor burns in the blast.

Crews from nearby fire departments, the Texas Forest Service and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality were dispatched.