LOCAL 648
11 Springfield firefighters hurt during gas explosion
Updated On: Nov 24, 2012

11 Springfield firefighters hurt during gas explosion

Stephanie Barry, The Republican By Stephanie Barry, The Republican
on November 24, 2012 at 11:10 AM, updated November 24, 2012 at 12:49 PM
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Aftermath of Springfield Explosion on Worthington Street
Enlarge 11/24/12-Springfield-Staff Photo by Dave Roback- Items from the Score's Gentleman's Club are seen in the rubble on Saturday, the morning after Friday night's explosion. Aftermath of Springfield Explosion on Worthington Street gallery (22 photos)


SPRINGFIELD — Fire Department spokesman Dennis Leger said 11 of 14 firefighters on scene at the blast that leveled the Scores Gentlemen's Club at 453 Chestnut St. were hospitalized, some with facial burns.

All but three were released by Saturday morning. A spokesman for the Police Department said two officers who suffered injuries were treated at the hospital and released, and they were back to work on Saturday. All told, 21 people were injured in the blast, including one worker for the city Water Department, four gas company workers, two civilians and one photojournalist, Leger said.

None of the injuries were life-threatening. Emergency personnel said it was "a miracle" no one was killed given the force of the blast.

A gas explosion blasted out windows and brought a shower of bricks, glass and other debris over the city's entertainment district. Police had cordoned off five square blocks, and Leger said he believed Chestnut Street would be closed for days.

Springfield natural gas explosion destroys building, causes widespread damage downtown
Enlarge Springfield, 11/23/12, Staff Photo by David Molnar -- A view from Armory Commons of some of the damage to the areas on Worhtington St. after a gas explosion. Springfield natural gas explosion destroys building, causes widespread damage downtown gallery (30 photos)

Residents at apartment blocks nearby were displaced, including 18 at a group of efficiency apartments at 501 Worthington St., which is affiliated with the Friends of the Homeless shelter farther up the street.

"I was lying down and all of a sudden you heard this huge explosion and the window sashes came flying in. My window fan landed on me. I just grabbed my keys and gloves and left," said Peter Hakes, 56, who had lived in his apartment for 10 years. "I've gone through a tornado, an earthquake and two hurricanes and finally was kicked out by a gas explosion. It's bizarre."

Hakes was among a handful of residents who went to an emergency shelter at Springfield Central High School that had been converted to an information center.

Shelter managers housed male residents in a conference room at the main shelter and took the women into a separate women's facility.

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IAFF Local 648
33 Eastland St.
Springfield, MA
 

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