Gas explosion levels building, injures 18 in Springfield, Massachusetts

(Reuters) - An explosion triggered by a gas leak destroyed a strip club in downtown Springfield, Massachusetts, on Friday, injuring 18 people, although none seriously, authorities said.

Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno said the building, a Scores Gentlemen's Club, exploded at about 5:25 p.m. as gas company workers, police officers and firefighters were responding to a leak in the area.

The 18 injured people included nine firefighters, four Columbia Gas of Massachusetts employees and two police officers, Sarno said.

"Through God's mercy, we are not aware of any fatalities," Sarno told reporters, adding none of the victims suffered life-threatening injuries.

The club had been evacuated before the explosion due to the gas leak, which may have saved the lives of patrons and employees who had been inside, said Thomas Walsh, a spokesman for the city.

Images on a local CBS affiliate showed buildings with shattered windows, debris scattered in the street, and emergency services entering the area.

Witnesses described to local media a massive explosion that shook the ground and produced a huge cloud of smoke. The explosion was powerful enough to be felt in neighboring towns, Sarno told reporters.

At least 15 to 20 buildings in Springfield's downtown section sustained extensive damage in the blast, including a six-story residential building where a number of units have been condemned due to damage from the explosion, Walsh said.

The city established an emergency shelter to accommodate residents displaced by the blast, Sarno said.

Officials said state and local investigators were trying to determine the cause of the gas leak and subsequent explosion.

Last year, Springfield was hit with a tornado that cut a path several blocks wide, ripping apart trees and damaging buildings. Springfield has a population of about 150,000 people.

- REUTERS

Workers rescued from ship in Durban harbour

A total of six workers suffered breathing difficulties this evening after they were overcome by fumes while spray painting in the hull of ship at the Durban harbour.

The events leading to the incident is unclear, but ER24 as well as various other services including local fire and rescue personnel received a call out to the ship to assist. Upon arriving at the scene the paramedics were told that the workers had been overcome by the fumes and were trapped in some sort of tank.

Various rescue workers were sent into the tanks with specialised rescue and breathing equipment. One by one the workers were pulled from the tank. The last worker had fallen into a compartment within the tank. After three hours from receiving the initial call, rescue workers managed to carry the last worker from the ship to safety.

All of the workers were suffering from breathing difficulties and received supplemental oxygen and treatment prior to be transported to hospital by various ambulance services. The incident will be investigated by the appropriate authority.

- ER24

Kimberley Municipal workers dead after inhaling gas

Johannesburg - Five people were killed on Tuesday after inhaling gas at a waste water purification plant in Kimberley, in the Northern Cape, paramedics said.

ER24 spokesperson Andre Visser said five workers went into a sewerage tank for maintenance and inhaled the gas, rendering them unconscious.

"The bodies have been recovered."

- SAPA

Vyf sterf by rioolaanleg

KIMBERLEY. Vyf Sol Plaatje-munisipale werkers is gister omstreeks 12:30 dood by die Homevale-rioolaanleg nadat hulle deur metaangas in een van die pomphuise oorval is.

Hulle was glo besig om ondersoek in te stel na `n lek in een van die pype. Volgens die munisipale woordvoerder, Sello Matsie, het die eerste werker ondersoek ingestel na die fout.

Toe hy na `n halfuur nie terug is nie, het sy kollegas hom gaan soek. Elkeen het probeer help om die ander, wat self deur die gas oorval is, te help. Hulle het egter almal omgekom.

Matsie het sy medelye aan die oorledenes se familie betoon en `n volledige en deeglike ondersoek beloof om antwoorde te kry oor wat presies gebeur het. Hy sê die munispaliteit stel altyd veiligheid eerste by hul werkplekke.

- Volksblad

8 hospitalised after suspected gas leak

CAPE TOWN – Western Cape health officials said eight women had to be taken to hospital after a suspected gas leak in Epping on Wednesday afternoon.

It is suspected the leak came from a furniture factory.

The women complained about tight chest pains and nausea.

Emergency Medical Services Keri Davids said the area does not pose any danger.

“It is believed the company does not work with gas, but after being tested by the local fire and rescue crew, they found there was no gas substances present in the factory.”

She added that they administered oxygen to the patients on the scene and they were transported to hospital.

- EWN

Building declared safe after gas leak

A Randburg company where 800 people had to be evacuated following a gas leak on Sunday said investigation continue to determine the origins of the leak.

The building on Kent Avenue has however been declared safe.

Eight people who were hospitalised on Friday for respiratory distress have since been discharged.

The company’s Phillip Kruger said it would be business as usual on Monday.

“We will keep on testing to make sure that it is a good place to work in.”

- EWN