Explosion in downtown Springfield, Mass. levels building

SPRINGFIELD, Mass.. (WTNH) -- At least eighteen people were taken to the hospital after a natural gas explosion in downtown Springfield late Friday afternoon. The wounded include eight firefighters, four gas company workers and a police officer.

• WWLP Photos: Springfield Gas Explosion

"We're not aware of any fatailties, thank God," Mayor Domenic Sarno said.

According to WTNH sister-station WWLP-TV at least two buildings were destroyed, one of them the Scores Gentleman's Club. It was closed at the time of the explosion. Several other buildings suffered damage.

Eight people were taken to Bay State Medical Center for treatment. The exact number of injuries is not clear.

There was a gas leak reported earlier in the afternoon, and the explosion happened around 5:25 p.m. Debris was scattered over several blocks.

Several streets in the Springfield entertainment district have been cordoned off, and a police anti-looting unit has been put in place.

The building department is making contact with building owners and authorities are checking the stability of other buildings that were damaged in the blast.

A Columbia Gas company official says they don't know where the initial leak came from.

"We will deal with it, we will get through this," the mayor said.

WWLP reports:

The explosion sent a huge cloud of smoke into the air over downtown.

All fire companies have reported to the area. Shattered glass can be seen strewn on the sidewalks on Worthington Street.

22News reporter Ryan Walsh witnessed several people cut or bleeding.

Nearby buildings had been evacuated prior to the explosion, and firefighters are now evacuating additional nearby structures.

Much of Chestnut and Worthington Streets have been blocked off, as emergency crews assess the situation.

According to sister-station WWLP-TV at least one building exploded, the Scores Gentleman's Club.

There was a gas leak reported earlier in the afternoon, and the explosion happened around 5:25 p.m.

Several blocks in the Springfield entertainment district have been cordoned off.