A GAS explosion that sparked a massive, block-engulfing blaze in an upscale Kansas City shopping district injured 14 people, a city official said, adding that it is believed that an accident involving a utility contractor may have caused the blast.
Firefighters have contained the fire ignited by a huge gas explosion on Tuesday night (Wednesday morning Australia time) which ''critically injured'' bystanders.
An official says 14 people have been confirmed as injured in the massive gas explosion.
Kansas City Manager Troy Schulte said officials don't yet know if anyone was killed in the explosion, which destroyed a restaurant.
Authorities also are still trying to determine the full cause of the blast.
A car crashed into a gas main sparking the massive blaze in the upscale Kansas City shopping district. Picture: AP/KCTV
Mr Schulte said they do know there was a gas leak followed by an explosion.
At this point, he said 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 6pm.
Firefighters battle a massive fire at the Country Club Plaza in Kansas City. Picture: AP/KCTV
The area was also undergoing construction work.
A JJ's worker said the restaurant was being renovated at the time.
The restaurant is reported to have been "levelled".
Flores said an initial call for three ambulances had been increased to 10.
The large fire in down-town Kansas City where a car is believed to have struck a gas line. Picture: KSHB.com
Flores said the car crash appeared to have been accidental.
Police Sgt Tony Sanders said said the manager of JJ's restaurant, which was destroyed in the blaze, was unable to account for three people, but it was unclear whether they were caught in the blaze or had left earlier.
KMBC 9's Micheal Mahoney spoke to someone who said he was a regular at the restaurant and said firefighters and representatives from Missouri Gas Energy were checking for the source of a gas odor before the explosion.
A small group of customers who were in the restaurant were advised to leave.
The large fire in down-town Kansas City where a car is believed to have struck a gas line. Picture: KSHB.com
He said five to 10 employees stayed behind after the customers left, but it wasn't clear if they were still inside at the time of the explosion.
Video showed dozens of firefighters and other emergency responders battling the massive blaze that appeared to have engulfed an entire block, with flames burning through the roofs.
Footage showed flames shooting out of the Country Club Plaza.
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Black smoke swirled in the air and debris littered surrounding streets.
The smell of gas was very strong near the area long after the suspected explosion.
Witnesses described smelling gas before they heard the explosion and saw debris being flung up to 50m into the air.
The large fire in down-town Kansas City where a car is believed to have struck a gas line. Picture: KSHB.com
"I actually sped up to get out of this area because it made me nervous about what the smell was and what would happen," she said.
The University of Kansas Hospital was treating five people injured in the blast, said spokesman Bob Hallinan.
He said one person was in critical condition, two were in 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 large fire in down-town Kansas City where a car is believed to have struck a gas line. Picture: KSHB.com
Kerry O'Connor, a spokeswoman for St Luke's Hospital, which is near the scene of the fire, said several patients were sent to the hospital.
She said they haven't been assessed yet but ''they appear to be critical at this time.''
Extra staff have been called up.
Kansas City Mayor Sly James urged people on Twitter to stay away from the area so firefighters can do their work.
Firefighters warned of further explosions.
While the surrounding fires have reportedly been contained, the ruptured gas main continues to burn.
J.J.'s Restaurant has issued the following statement on its Facebook page: "Please keep our friends and families in your hearts and prayers. At this time we are still trying to assess the situation and make sure our coworkers and customers are safe."
Jim Ligon, a bartender who has worked at JJ's restaurant for five years, wasn't working at the time but said he started getting texts and calls from co-workers minutes after the explosion.
He said the incident happened during the peak of weekday happy hour, when there is typically anywhere from 15 to 45 people in the bar area as well as three to five tables of diners at the restaurant.
''JJ's has a small staff, a family feel,'' said Ligon, 45, of Kansas City, Missouri.
''You see the same 100 people all the time - a bar and restaurant for regulars. We're just really hoping we come out of it.''
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.
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