Massive Explosion Injures 21 At Plantation, Florida Strip Mall

PLANTATION, FL — Twenty-one people were hurt Saturday when an explosion blasted through a shopping center in Plantation, Florida.

The massive explosion badly damaged a two story commercial building housing a vacant pizza restaurant and blew out the windows of a neighboring LA Fitness gym at the Fountains Plaza in Plantation. Video footage from the explosion's aftermath show firefighters carrying the injured to safety amid scene of devastation. At least two of the injured were in serious condition, according to ABC News.

The explosion occurred at about 11:30 a.m near the 800 block of South University Drive. Authorities have closed off the street.

Fire Department investigators were working to examine the cause of the explosion initially thought to be the result of a gas leak. The Plantation Fire Department confirmed that ruptured gas lines were found amid the rubble.

Joel Gordon, Battalion Chief for the Plantation Fire Department told reporters the injured are lucky to have escaped with their lives given the force of the explosion.

Witnesses described a scene of terror.

Guillermo Villa charging his Tesla SUV across the street when he heard the blast go off, he told ABC News.

"I started seeing pieces of the building falling on my head," he told ABC. "I went underneath my car because there was so much debris flying," he told ABC. "It was like raining pieces of roof, wall, bricks."