A powerful explosion from a suspected gas leak ripped through a shopping mall in Florida on Saturday, injuring 21 people. The explosion sent debris flying across the parking lot of the Fountain Plaza shopping centre. It damaged an LA Fitness gym, numerous cars and blew holes in neighbouring buildings in the city of Plantation.
The AP reports that the force from the explosion shot large pieces of concrete as far as 50 yards and sent pieces of metal as far as 100 yards across the street, damaging cars parked at other businesses.
The South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports that witnesses said the explosion seemed to come from a vacant restaurant in the complex.
Police and fire departments from nearby towns including Plantation, Davie, Lauderhill, Coral Springs, joined authorities from Broward County Sheriff Fire Rescue at the scene, local outlets reported. The complex is situated in the city of Plantation, about 30 miles north of Miami and 10 miles west of Fort Lauderdale.
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