Huge gas explosion kills one - and nearly wipes out secret vintage Porsche collection

A huge gas explosion killed one person and badly damaged a car museum that houses a collection of highly-valuable Porsche supercars.

The Ingram Museum, in Durham, North Carolina, is home to up to 80 rare models and has reportedly  visited by vintage car enthusiasts Jerry Seinfeld and Jay Leno in the past.

The collection is owned by local businessman Bob Ingram, the former CEO and Chairman of Glaxo/Wellcome, but is not open to the general public.

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to those families impacted by this disaster, and wish a speedy recovery to those who were hurt", Ingram said in a statement.

The museum has not yet revealed how extensive the damage to the collection is, but it is feared to be significant.

Aerial footage shows significant damage to the building (ABC11)

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Aerial footage of the site by local newstation WDTV shows at least some of the vehicles were severely damaged in the blast.

Part of the exterior wall is missing and at least half of the roof collapsed.

One person was killed in the blast in the busy downtown district at around 10 a.m. on Wednesday.

Seventeen people were also injured in the accident, including six seriously.

The collection pictured in 2011 (dylanandthevine/Instagram)

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The emergency was called when a contractor drilled into a gas main, causing a dangerous leak.

It emerged firefighters were evacuating locals from nearby Brightleaf Square where the explosion happened.

The victim was named as Kong Lee, a 61-year-old owner of a nearby coffee shop.

Durham Mayor Steve Schewel said in a press conference: 'I feel a real sense of loss and grief.  'It's a very difficult day in that way.'