Home near Washington DC explodes as police surround armed suspect

A huge explosion has destroyed at least one home in a suburb of Washington DC as police executed a search warrant, authorities said.

Officers were called to the home in Arlington, Virginia, at 16:45 EST (21:45 GMT) on Monday after reports of someone firing a flare gun.

When they tried to enter, there were shots fired then a big explosion.

Officers on the scene reported only minor injuries while the suspect inside the home is unaccounted for.

The fire department extinguished the blaze.

The incident started when the suspect fired a flare gun between 30 to 40 times, Arlington police said, which did not cause any injuries or property damage.