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Mass. Lt. Gov. Murray says it is a 'miracle' no one was killed in gas explosion

SPRINGFIELD, MA (FOX 25 / MyFoxBoston.com) Dozens of buildings were damaged and at least 18 people were injured following a natural gas explosion on Worthington Street in Springfield.

"This is a miracle on Worthington Street that no one was killed," Lt. Gov. Tim Murray said at a press conference held on Friday night. Murray was in Springfield for a tree lighting ceremony when the explosion occurred.

Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno listed a total of 18 people who were injured in the blast. Four gas company employees, 9 firefighters, one water dept. worker, two police officers, and at least two civilians were among the injured. Ten of those people were treated at Bay State Medical Center. None of the patients were listed in critical condition.

An official at the scene told FOX 25 that the first fire company on the scene sustained cuts and bruises. A worker with the gas company says their crew was shielded from the blast by their truck.

The explosion occurred at about 5:30 p.m. on Friday. The Scores Gentlemen's Club was leveled in the blast. Several nearby store windows were blown out as a result of the explosion. Glass littered the street on Friday night. A FOX 25 reporter in Springfield said he felt the explosion two miles away.

The explosion was the result of a gas leak near the intersection of Worthington and Spring Street. Columbia Gas officials say they responded to the intersection at about 4:20 p.m. on reports of a gas smell. Firefighters shut down and evacuated several nearby streets while crews worked to resolve the leak prior to the explosion.

Inspection teams were expected to canvas the area impacted by the blast on Saturday morning to evaluate affected buildings.