Former KTIV reporter is first journalist on scene of Kansas City restaurant blast

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By Matt Breen, Evening Anchor - bio | email

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KTIV) -

Firefighters battled flames from a massive explosion in the Country Club Plaza area of Kansas City, Missouri.

That fireball is JJ's Restaurant in the upscale shopping and entertainment district. Early reports say a vehicle struck a gas main sparking the explosion about 6:00pm Tuesday night. But, there are also reports it may have involved a utility contractor.

Police say as many as 14 people are hurt... some critically. And, at least three people are unaccounted for.

Former KTIV reporter Zach Tecklenberg was one of the first journalists on the scene. Zach Tecklenberg, former KTIV reporter and current KSHB journalist said, "A lot of people live down here and work down here and eat down here. And people are saying they've been smelling natural gas from just about one o'clock this afternoon. So at least five hours before this happened they were smelling natural gas."

The fire is now out. The restaurant is across the street from a development that was under construction.

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Former KTIV reporter is first journalist on scene of Kansas City - KTIV News 4 Sioux City IA: News, Weather and Sports

Former KTIV reporter is first journalist on scene of Kansas City restaurant blast

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