At least 21 injured after massive explosion rocks Florida shopping plaza, firefighters say

PLANTATION, Fla. — 4:30 P.M. Update:
Plantation firefighters have confirmed at least 21 people were injured after a massive explosion at a South Florida shopping plaza.

Crews are continuing to search the area for victims.

Thank you to @PlantationPD for their efforts in helping the injured in the Plantation explosion and their continuing investigation. We are monitoring the situation.
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) July 6, 2019

We have been monitoring the explosion in Plantation from the start with @BrowardSheriff Tony. @FLSERT is also in contact with local officials. @FLCaseyDeSantis and I are praying for all those affected.
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) July 6, 2019

2 P.M. Update:
Around 15 to 20 people were injured after an explosion rocked a South Florida shopping plaza, firefighters said.

Firefighters said the explosion occurred around 11:28 a.m. near or at an LA Fitness on University Drive in Plantation, west of Fort Lauderdale.

There are no reports of any deaths and the total number of people injured is not known, firefighters said.

After originally calling it a gas explosion, firefighters said they are working to confirm the cause of the blast.

Officials said multiple people were inside the LA Fitness and other nearby businesses at the time of the explosion.

DEVELOPING: Police and fire crews are responding to an explosion with "multiple patients" at a shopping center in Florida, officials said Saturday. https://t.co/XpM9jxGPcy pic.twitter.com/irj1FSEOGY
— ABC News (@ABC) July 6, 2019

Original report:

Police and firefighters are investigating an explosion at a South Florida shopping plaza that injured multiple people.

The explosion happened Saturday morning at a shopping center west of Fort Lauderdale in Broward County.

The blast sent large pieces of debris about 100 yards across the street, officials said.

TRENDING NOW:

The Plantation fire and police departments said on Twitter that the street was closed to traffic.

The fire department called it a gas explosion with "multiple patients."

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

Avoid the area of University Drive and Peter's Road. Fire and PD are working an incident involving an explosion. Command post is set up on S. University Drive in the 800 block. Media Command post set up north of this location.
— Plantation Police (@PlantationPD) July 6, 2019