A MASSIVE BLAST SHATTERED A SHOPPING PLAZA IN WAUKEGAN, ILLINOIS, early this afternoon.  One store in the center has collapsed and several others suffered major damage.

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The initial reports say that six people have been injured and transported to hospitals.  From the preliminary reports it has the indications of a natural gas-type explosion.  The blast occurred between noon and 12:30 Central time.  After the explosion a fire started and the FD was initially occupied with that while searching the rubble for victims.

Five of the injured were in the shop where it occurred.  Currently there are no reports of any fatalities.  Heavy debris coupled with the FD operations has hindered the gas company’s efforts to shut down the gas service in the area.  There is great concern with the potential of gas leaks resulting from the blast.

WMAQ is running a brief raw VIDEO HERE.

Update, 5:00 pm Central:
The situation is calm and under control at the present time.  The Vista Medical Center East has reported that they have received at least five casualties, one in serious condition.  A sixth victim was treated at the scene and not transported.

An unconfirmed report says that one person may still be missing.  Although there is no report of people being trapped, the Lake County urban S & R team members have been brought in to search the buildings.

Rescue workers told Ch. 5 that they were “99 percent sure” that everyone was out of the building at 2:45 p.m., although there was one person who remained unaccounted for.

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Chicago Tribune

The Chicago Tribune has a story and another video report HERE.

Click to play CNN video report:

Lake County News

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