Utility firm admits facilities ‘involved in igniting Texas wildfire’

The fire has burned nearly 1,700 square miles and destroyed hundreds of structures (Julio Cortez/AP)

Utility provider Xcel Energy has said that its facilities appear to have played a role in igniting a massive wildfire in the Texas Panhandle that grew to the largest blaze in state history.

Texas officials have said they are still investigating the cause of the fire that has burned nearly 1,700 square miles and destroyed hundreds of structures.