Gas explosion sends debris flying hundreds of metres in Florida

A massive explosion has ripped through a shopping mall, sending debris flying in the air while witnesses described it as “terrifying”.

A powerful explosion from a suspected gas leak ripped through a shopping mall in Florida on Saturday, injuring up to 23 people.

The explosion sent debris flying across the parking lot of the Fountain Plaza shopping centre, damaging an LA Fitness gym, numerous cars and blowing holes in neighbouring buildings in the city of Plantation, about 50 kilometres north of Miami.

Videos uploaded to social media show a nearby carpark strewn with wreckage, with building materials flying hundreds of metres and blanketing cars.

A witness at the scene tweeted photos and videos of the aftermath, saying it was an “absolutely terrifying experience”.

“Amazing no one is reported missing or deceased,” Alex Carver posted.

The site of the explosion was a former pizza restaurant which closed in December as the federal and local police were investigating if the detonation was deliberate.

I was at the LA Fitness on University and Peters when the gas explosion occurred. Terrifying experience! Shaken up but I’m okay, I hope others are too! 🙏🏼 pic.twitter.com/W6MNw5Vbkh

— Joey Cole (@TheJCOLE) July 6, 2019

#plantation gas #explosion about a mile from our house in New Orleans Villas. Shook the entire house. @CNN @Local10Sports @abcnews @NBCNews #browardcounty pic.twitter.com/NOwB10f9KF

— Jenn (@Jenn_Fitz_) July 6, 2019

Shot from my parking lot at work.#PlantationExplosion pic.twitter.com/MWlfVHsn2r

— Alex Carver (@hammerhead33065) July 6, 2019

“We got our workout in, picked up the kids, walked out, got in the car, drove away and as we drove away everything exploded,” said Jessi Walasheck, who witnessed the explosion.

“It was a pretty crazy scene.”

Deputy fire chief Joel Gordon told reporters two of the injured were in serious condition after the blast, one of whom had potentially life-threatening injuries.

“We found patients scattered all around the debris area,” he said, but added the injuries generally “are not as severe as what we thought they would be.”

Absolutely terrifying experience. Amazing no one is reported missing or deceased.#PlantationExplosion pic.twitter.com/iZQMKb1nKB

— Alex Carver (@hammerhead33065) July 6, 2019

#BREAKING Video from inside LA Fitness at Plantation, FL shopping center where gas explosion happened. It is unclear where explosion stemmed from, multiple injuries reported. @WPLGLocal10 pic.twitter.com/X1Aw9wT8In

— Parker Branton (@ParkerBranton) July 6, 2019

Debris everywhere following gas explosion in Plantation; University Drive is closed. pic.twitter.com/QxVvj0Mrkt

— Steven Cejas (@StevenCejas) July 6, 2019

His department initially called it a gas explosion and Gordon said ruptured gas lines were found in the debris, but the cause of the blast has not been confirmed.

No one has been reported missing.

“As bad it was, it could have been a lot worse,” he said.

A major avenue running past the mall was shut down as a rescuer aided by a dog combed through the wreckage.

The South Florida Sun Sentinel reported emergency crews initially couldn’t access the scene because of debris blocking the roads.

Amanda Buscemi told the publication her paediatric dentistry practice, Super Smiles, was destroyed.

“My diploma and stuff was in the streets,” said Dr Buscemi, who recalled a gas leak a few months ago at the shopping centre.

“People had to be evacuated from the building,” she said.

Dr Buscemi said her employees had visited the former pizza restaurant where the explosion occurred but it was rarely busy and only open for about six months.

Continue the conversation on Twitter @James_P_Hall or [e-mail]