Gas blasts rock central Mexican city, killing at least 1

By MARÍA VERZA
Associated Press

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Officials say an illegal tap on a natural gas line is apparently to blame for pre-dawn explosions that shook the central Mexico city of Puebla. At least one person has died and 11 are injured. Puebla state Gov. Miguel Barbosa says an emergency call warning of a gas smell in the area allowed officials to evacuate some 2,000 people living within a half mile of the leak before the first of three explosions early Sunday. Officials say dozens of houses were destroyed or damaged in the city of 1.7 million people. Fires burned in the rubble into Sunday evening, when a heavy rain finally doused the flames. The governor says rescue teams with dogs are searching for more possible victims.