At least 20 people were injured when a shopping center in Plantation, Florida exploded. Two of the injured people are reportedly in critical condition. Fire officials believe a gas leak likely caused the blast, but are still investigating the explosion.
"We had ruptured gas lines. We did have an active gas leak when we arrived, (but) they were able to secure it," Battalion Chief Joel Gordon said. "At this point, we have not actually confirmed that it was an explosion due to gas. We believe that. That's what it appears to be."
Windows on nearby storefronts were blown out, and debris is scattered across the parking lot Reports say that the explosion was so powerful it flung debris over 100 yards and destroyed cars in the parking lot.
"Then we felt the building shake and things started falling. I looked outside, and it was almost like the world was ending," Alex Carver who works at a deli across the street from where the blast occurred, told The Associated Press. "It was crazy."
Most of the people who sustained injuries were working at L.A. Fitness when the blast occurred.
"It just looks like an apocalypse," one woman told WPLG. "It's just crazy what natural gas can do, or just gas in general. I mean, it's flattened a whole strip plaza."