This is the dramatic moment an explosion ripped through an apartment tower block, killing one person in China.

CCTV footage shows the powerful blast shattering the windows of the Yuefu Phase 2 high-rise building in a wealthy district of Shenzhen City on December 11.

Debris fell onto traffic below as fire rapidly engulfed several floors of the residential tower. An injured individual was seen rolling off the building and was rushed by an ambulance to the hospital.

Local firefighters said 80 firemen and 16 fire trucks were dispatched to the scene.

State-run media Beijing News reported that a gas explosion on the 28th floor was believed to have caused the fire. At least one person reportedly died.

The explosion happened in the affluent Shenzhen Bay area, which houses the headquarters of major Chinese companies such as tech conglomerate Tencent.

Investigations were ongoing, authorities said.