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Photos: Gas Explosion Caused Massive Fire In Kansas City, Missouri; 16 Injured

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KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) -- An official said 14 people have been confirmed as injured in the Kansas City gas explosion fire. The suspected gas explosion sparked a massive fire that engulfed an entire block at an upscale shopping center in Kansas City. Kansas City Manager Troy Schulte says officials don't yet know if anyone was killed in the explosion, which destroyed JJ's restaurant. Authorities also are still trying to determine the full cause of the blast. Schulte says they do know there was a gas leak followed by an explosion. At this point, he says authorities believe it may have stemmed from an accident involving a utility contractor. Earlier police spokeswoman Rhonda Flores said it appeared that a car crashed into a gas main near JJ's just after 6 p.m. Kerry O'Connor, a spokeswoman for St. Luke's Hospital, which is near the scene of the fire, said several patients were on the way to the hospital. She said they haven't been assessed yet but "they appear to be critical at this time." Fire officials didn't immediately return a phone call seeking comment Tuesday evening. The, but television video showed flames shooting out of the Country Club Plaza. The smell of gas was very strong near the area long after the suspected explosion. Video showed dozens of firefighters and other emergency responders battling a massive blaze that appeared to have engulfed an entire block, with flames burning through the roofs. Black smoke swirled in the air and debris littered surrounding streets. The shopping area was established in 1922 by J.C. Nichols. Based on the architecture of Seville, Spain, it includes retail, restaurants, apartments and offices.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) —   Television video showed flames shooting out of the Country Club Plaza. Black smoke swirled in the air and debris littered surrounding streets. The shopping area was established in 1922 by J.C. Nichols. Based on the architecture of Seville, Spain, it includes retail, restaurants, apartments and offices.

A natural gas leak cause a massive explosion that started a massive fire in Kansas City, Missouri on Tuesday evening, which completely destroyed a popular steakhouse and fine dining restaurant called JJ’s.

The explosion shook the Country Club Plaza, an upscale shopping area about 30 blocks south of downtown Kansas City, just after 6 p.m. CST (0000 GMT)

At least sixteen people were injured, three of them listed in critical condition.

They were taken to University of Kansas Hospital, St. Luke’s Medical Center, Research Medical Center and Truman Medical Center.

Anyway it is still unclear how many people were inside the restaurant at the time of the blast and if there are more victims inside the damaged building.

Kansas City Fire Chief Paul Berardi said cadaver dogs were called to the scene to help serch the area for victims.

Officials said that the precise origin of the blast was not immediately known.

Associated Press (AP) reported that, “City Manager Troy Schulte said it appeared an accident by a utility contractor had caused the blast, and a statement from utility Missouri Gas Energy late Tuesday reiterated that possibility, but Berardi and others cautioned that the cause was still being investigated.”

Earlier police spokeswoman Rhonda Flores said it appeared that a car crashed into a gas main near JJ’s just after 6 p.m..

AP said that the smell of gas remained very strong near the area long after the explosion.

This is a disaster.

(Please click the photos for larger images)