Blast rips pipeline; boy dies

BRENHAM, Texas An underground pipeline exploded in flames thismorning, flattening homes and killing at least one person, officialssaid.

The blast in a rural area seven miles south of this east Texastown of 12,000 rattled homes and buildings in Galveston, more than 90miles away, and Vidor, 140 miles to the east.

"The DPS center in Bryan has said there are numerouscasualties," said Department of Public Safety spokesman Mike Cox. Hesaid at least 16 people were injured.

The only confirmed death was that of a 6-year-old boy who wasblown out of a flattened mobile home, authorities said. Rescuerswere searching damaged homes in the area for …