Explosion was heard in downtown Houston on Monday, according to witnesses.
Eyewitness video showed a raging fire shooting from the windows of the Lone Star Legal Aid Offices in downtown Houston, the United States.
A thick cloud of smoke could also be seen rising in downtown at the site of the fire but the cause of the incident was not immediately clear.
Rainfall continued in great Houston area.
The National Weather Service said new rainfall in Houston would amount to 5 and 8 cm with showers and thunderstorms throughout the day.
Houston mayor Sylvester Turner said in a news conference said that so far, around 5,000 people had been rescued to shelters in Houston. (Xinhua/NAN)