Fire destroys 60 of Ike-damaged Galveston condos

GALVESTON, Texas -- A fire has destroyed at least 60 condos in a Galveston, Texas, beachfront development that was being rebuilt after being damaged by Hurricane Ike.

Fire Chief Mike Vaerla Sr. says welding contractors working on the renovations accidentally started the fire at the Maravilla Condos on Wednesday afternoon.

Smoke was seen for miles as firefighters from Galveston and neighboring cities worked about three hours to contain the blaze.

A firefighter suffered heat exhaustion, but no one else was hurt.

The development along the Gulf of Mexico was damaged during Hurricane Ike last summer and many of its 164 units still were being rebuilt.