At least 16 hurt in US gas explosion

At least 16 people were hurt in a massive gas explosion in Springfield, Massachusetts, Friday afternoon, local TV reported. WWLP-TV, which serves the Western Massachusetts and Northern Connecticut area, reported the explosion was caused by a gas leak, and the injured include a Springfield police officer and two firefighters. The report said the explosion sent a huge cloud of smoke into the air, and people standing nearby were knocked to their feet. A loud boom was heard and felt miles away. A bar named SCORES was destroyed in the explosion. Fortunatelly it was not open for business at the time of the blast. A total of two buildings were destroyed. All Springfield fire companies have reported to the area and ambulances from nearby communities have also rushed to the scene. Shattered glass can be seen strewn on the sidewalks. Nearby buildings had been evacuated prior to the explosion, and firefighters were evacuating additional nearby structures. Due to the dangerous situation at the scene, police have blocked off the area, but crowds have been gathering on the streets, trying to see what is going on. It remains unclear whether the source of the gas leak has been found or whether the leak has been contained.