Natural gas explosion flattens buildings in Massachusetts
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (AP) Authorities say a natural gas explosion in one of New England's biggest cities has destroyed two buildings but hasn't killed anyone.
They say firefighters and gas company workers are among more than a dozen injured people.
The explosion in a downtown area of Springfield blew out all windows in a three-block radius, leaving three more buildings damaged beyond repair and prompting emergency workers to evacuate a six-story apartment building that was buckling.
Police Sgt. John Delaney says it looks as though there was a missile strike where the explosion leveled the multistory building at its epicenter.
Officials at two nearby hospitals say a total of 16 victims were transported with injuries but none was critical.
Firefighters responded to the scene at 4:20 p.m. and were investigating a gas leak when the blast happened shortly after 5 p.m.
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