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| Kansas City blast leaves shopping district in flames | Kansas City blast leaves shopping district in flames |
| (30 days later) | |
| A gas explosion sparked a blaze that ripped through part of a Kansas City shopping district injuring at least 14 people, city officials have said. | A gas explosion sparked a blaze that ripped through part of a Kansas City shopping district injuring at least 14 people, city officials have said. |
| Dozens of firefighters and other emergency services battled flames that burned through the roofs of buildings and appeared to have engulfed an entire block. Black smoke swirled in the air and debris littered surrounding streets. | Dozens of firefighters and other emergency services battled flames that burned through the roofs of buildings and appeared to have engulfed an entire block. Black smoke swirled in the air and debris littered surrounding streets. |
| Police and city authorities gave varied reports of how the fire started, from a car crashing into a gas main to a mishap during utility work. A worker at a restaurant destroyed in the fire said the facility was being renovated at the time. | Police and city authorities gave varied reports of how the fire started, from a car crashing into a gas main to a mishap during utility work. A worker at a restaurant destroyed in the fire said the facility was being renovated at the time. |
| The smell of gas remained strong near the area long after the initial explosion. | The smell of gas remained strong near the area long after the initial explosion. |
| Sergeant Tony Sanders of the city police said the manager of a restaurant called JJ's was unable to account for three people but it was unclear whether they were caught in the blaze or had left earlier. "The first thing we need to be concerned about is the people that are injured," said the city mayor, Sly James. | Sergeant Tony Sanders of the city police said the manager of a restaurant called JJ's was unable to account for three people but it was unclear whether they were caught in the blaze or had left earlier. "The first thing we need to be concerned about is the people that are injured," said the city mayor, Sly James. |
| The University of Kansas hospital had treated five people injured in the blast, said a spokesman, Bob Hallinan. He said one person was in a critical condition, two were in a serious condition and two others were expected to be released. He said all the injuries were traumatic, such as broken bones, rather than burns or smoke inhalation. | The University of Kansas hospital had treated five people injured in the blast, said a spokesman, Bob Hallinan. He said one person was in a critical condition, two were in a serious condition and two others were expected to be released. He said all the injuries were traumatic, such as broken bones, rather than burns or smoke inhalation. |
| St Luke's hospital, near the scene of the fire, said it treated several patients. | St Luke's hospital, near the scene of the fire, said it treated several patients. |
| Jim Ligon, a JJ's restaurant worker who was off duty, said the incident had happened during the peak of weekday happy hour. "We're just really hoping we come out of here OK in terms of injuries," he said. | Jim Ligon, a JJ's restaurant worker who was off duty, said the incident had happened during the peak of weekday happy hour. "We're just really hoping we come out of here OK in terms of injuries," he said. |
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