Last Wednesday, a roofing worker sustained severe electrical burns, and several homes were damaged due to a power line incident at a townhome community in West Houston, according to officials from the Houston Fire Department. 

The accident occurred when a power line delivered an electrical current to the building's metal gutter system, igniting fires in over six homes and injuring a worker; one firefighter was also taken to the hospital.

"When the power line made contact with the gutter, we believe it sent an electrical shock down the buildings causing the fire," Houston Fire Department Captain Bryan Zaharis told KHOU-TV, which first reported the story.

Residents reported hearing an explosion and saw a man ablaze on the roof. 

"I had several neighbors call me and tell me there was an explosion and that there was a guy on the roof and that he was on fire," Terry Jones, a resident, told reporters.

The injured worker, who sustained "electrical burns across his body," was taken to the hospital, where he is still receiving treatment. The firefighter was hospitalized due to suspected heat exhaustion but is expected to recover fully.

The incident resulted in substantial fire and water damage to several residences and personal belongings. 

Multiple families have been forced to leave their homes due to the destruction. Fire officials did not provide further information regarding the cause of the incident or the injured worker's identity.