A huge gas explosion in Kansas City, Missouri destroyed a restaurant in a popular shopping area and injured at least 16 people, while cadaver dogs are sniffing the ruins to find out if anyone else had been trapped inside.
The powerful gas explosion at Country Club Plaza engulfed J.J’s Restaurant and then set off an enormous blaze that encompassed an entire city block, writes KMBC news.
The news website added that it’s suspected that a contractor working underground accidentally set off a gas line.
Firefighters were investigating a strong smell of gas prior to the blaze, writes KMBC, and employees told customers to leave for their own safety. It’s currently unclear how many employees were still inside when the blast took place.
A woman is missing and a man who was believed to be missing has been located at a hospital, Kansas City mayor Sly James told KMBC on Feb 20th. The woman may have been an employee at the destroyed eatery.
According to Reuters, the University of Kansas treated six patients who suffered injuries from both the explosion and the ensuing fire, while eight others are being treated at St Luke’s Medical Center, with two others at Research Medical Center.
Three people were listed in critical condition, added Reuters, while one was in “serious” condition. Most of the injuries were “lacerations from flying glass,” said ABC News.
Read More from PlusThings Media:
- Video: Massive sewer explosion blows up road in China
- Snowstorm Nemo: 4 dead as massive blizzard on Northeast
- Attack in India: the dead and wounded in an explosion
- CCTV: Gas tanker explodes in China
- Video: New wave of Romania violence: Molotov cocktails vs tear gas
[...] General John Allen resigns Link 3. Massive Kansas City gas explosion injures at least 14 people Link 4. Girls of The Day: Amanda Seyfried Link 5. Bulgarian Government quits after days of protests Link [...]