Dr. Marc Larsen: Many Injured in Kansas City Explosion. A gas explosion that sparked a massive, block-engulfing blaze in an upscale Kansas City shopping district injured at least 14 people, a city official said Tuesday evening. At least 8 were taken to St. Luke’s Hospital.
Kansas City Fire Chief Paul Berardi said cadaver dogs were called to the scene.
Kansas City firefighters had responded to a gas odor and had evacuated most of the people in JJ’s restaurant. Just after 6:00 p.m. an explosion destroyed the restaurant, and filled it with flames and smoke. The explosion occurred during “Happy Hour” when patrons normally fill the restaurant.
Missouri Gas workers were also believed to have been on the scene.
Injuries suffered include a man with severe burns, another man with unknown serious trauma, a hostes suffered a deep cut and a fractured cheek bone (very painful), cuts from flying glass, abrasions, and smoke inhalation. As of late Tuesday, one server was unaccounted for. Most of the serious injuries are believed to be to staff at the restaurant. Some injuries also occurred to people that were passers by when the explosion occurred.
Kansas City is about to be hit with a major snow storm. A NWS Winter Storm Warning is in effect with new snow and sleet accumulation of 5 to 9 inches possible during the day Thursday.
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