Up to 20 people have been injured in a gas explosion at a shopping center in Plantation, Florida on Saturday.
Multiple storefronts were impacted by the blast, with 15-20 injured, including two seriously, according to Plantation Fire Rescue spokesman, Joel Gordon.
As of a 1:30 p.m. press conference, no deaths were reported.
The vacant pizza restaurant where the explosion occurred was completely destroyed and an LA Fitness nearby sustained heavy damage caused by the blast, with debris and glass filling the nearby parking lot.
Fire departments from Plantation, Davie, Lauderhill, Coral Springs, as well as Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue have all been called to the scene.
The building where the explosion happen destroyed. People I spoke with described feeling Surrounding buildings shake as far as South of SR 595 @WPLGLocal10 pic.twitter.com/gd4qLU21n4
— Roy Ramos (@RRamosWPLG) July 6, 2019
One person covered in blood was seen being attended by others outside the fitness center, according to video from WPLG.
Injuries reported.. explosion University and Peters pic.twitter.com/BIFHRxos8i
— Jeff Weinsier (@jweinsierWPLG) July 6, 2019
Footage from inside the fitness center showed crowds hurrying out of the building, some limping and in shock, while its front windows were nearly blown out front the massive blast.
Video from inside the LA Fitness after explosion.. University and Peters Road.. Avoid area.. Multiple injuries #plantationfl pic.twitter.com/RSJX8CA6SO
— Jeff Weinsier (@jweinsierWPLG) July 6, 2019
Plantation Fire tweeted that the explosion occurred along the 800 block of South University Drive on Saturday and police have closed the road. Motorists are advised to avoid the area.
Avoid the area of University Drive and Peter’s Road. Fire and PD are working an incident involving an explosion. Command post is set up on S. University Drive in the 800 block. Media Command post set up north of this location.
— Plantation Police (@PlantationPD) July 6, 2019
Gas explosion 800 blk SUD multiple patients
SuD closed— Plantation Fire (@PlantationFire) July 6, 2019
Plantation police tweeted: “All stores and businesses in the area of the Fountains Plaza and the Plantation Marketplace plaza near LA Fitness will be shut down until further notice until Fire Personnel can determine that it is safe to return. Please do not come into this area if possible.”
A family and business reunification center has been set up at Plantation Central Park, 9151 NW 2nd Street, according to police.
