KANSAS CITY - A home explosion Monday in Florissant near Candlewyck Club Dr. sent three people to the hospital and set at least three neighboring homes on fire.
Black Jack Fire Chief Paul Peebles says the cause remains under investigation.
Those other houses were "fully involved" in flames. Other people were treated on the scene for conditions like shortness of breath and chest pain. Chief Peebles says they believe all people on the street are accounted for.
Asked by reporters if natural gas was potentially responsible for the explosion, Chief Peebles says, "It's too early now to make those determinations. We have to let bomb and arson do their job." But he notes Spire, the natural gas utility, is on the scene. "If you smell gas, you need to evaluate the building. Then contact the fire department," he adds.
Several departments provided mutual aid and responded to the scene, including Ferguson, Berkeley, Northeast, Florissant Valley, and more.
A KMOX reporter could see the plume of smoke from the highway as he approached. Chief Peebles says the blast could be felt from the fire station.
"I actually felt the explosion. It felt like our building was shaking," he says.
