Image taken from WWLP.com
SPRINGFIELD, Mass.: A massive gas explosion destroyed a downtown Springfield bar, sent glass and bricks flying down Worthington Street, and injured several people, including nine Springfield firefighters and a police officer, WWLP reported.
Injuries:
Jane Albert of Baystate Medical Center told 22News that there are ten patients in their Emergency Room due to the explosion at this time, but none of them are in critical condition. She said that she does not anticipate that any additional injured people will be coming in. Five of those brought to the ER will be admitted to the hospital. Albert said that none of the injuries were burns.
Mary Orr from Mercy Medical Center told 22News that they are treating eight patients, including two firefighters. All of them are expected to survive.
Dennis Leger, Aide to the Springfield Fire Commissioner, said that a total of nine firefighters injured, though some of them have already been sent home. He said that the worst injuries at this time appear to be facial cuts, but they are worried about some concussions. One firefighter had fallen into a nearby manhole following the blast.
Capt. William Collins of the Springfield Police Department told 22News that a Springfield police officer is among the injured, but his injuries are considered minor.
A Columbia Gas spokesperson told 22News that two of their workers were injured in the explosion. They too are expected to survive.
The Explosion:
The explosion happened after a gas leak in the area, which was reported around 4:20 P.M.
The loud boom, which came just after 5:00, could be heard and felt as far away as Hardwick, Granby, Belchertown, and Monson. In downtown, the explosion sent a huge cloud of smoke into the air, and people standing nearby were knocked to their feet.
Collins told 22News that the SCORES bar was destroyed in the explosion. The bar 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 like Agawam and Wilbraham were also called in. Shattered glass and bricks can be seen strewn on the sidewalks on Worthington Street. Windows were broken as far away as the Hampden Bank building on Harrison Avenue.
22News reporter Ryan Walsh witnessed several people cut or bleeding, and put onto stretchers.
Nearby buildings had been evacuated prior to the explosion, and firefighters are now evacuating additional nearby structures.
The Situation Downtown:
22News reporters Ryan Walsh, Shannon Halligan, and Sy Becker are Downtown, but police had moved them farther away from the explosion site multiple times due to the dangerous situation there. Crowds have been gathering on the streets, trying to see what is going on.
Much of Chestnut and Worthington Streets have been blocked off, as emergency crews assess the situation. It remains unclear at this time whether the source of the gas leak has been found, or whether it has been contained.
Springfield officials have scheduled a news conference where they will release further details on the incident at 8:00 P.M., though the conference remained delayed as of 8:20 P.M.
The Situation Downtown:
22News reporters Ryan Walsh, Shannon Halligan, and Sy Becker are Downtown, but police had moved them farther away from the explosion site multiple times due to the dangerous situation there. Crowds have been gathering on the streets, trying to see what is going on.
Much of Chestnut and Worthington Streets have been blocked off, as emergency crews assess the situation. It remains unclear at this time whether the source of the gas leak has been found, or whether it has been contained.
Springfield officials have scheduled a news conference where they will release further details on the incident at 8:00 P.M., though the conference remained delayed as of 8:20 P.M.