KC's JJ's became a hole in the ground topped by a towering inferno Tuesday, after gas explosion

JJ's, KC (Photo via TripAdvisor)

JJ's restaurant, near Kansas City's Country Club Plaza, was reduced Tuesday to a flaming hole at 910 W 48th St.
     Just after 6 pm, inspectors from Missouri Gas Energy told patrons of the restaurant, near Country Club Plaza, to leave.
     Shortly after that came a blast, described by a neighbor as being 'like a bomb'
     JJ's wasn't operating its kitchen at the time of the explosion because of neighbors' complaints of strong gas smells during the day. Missouri Gas Energy said early suspicions are that a contractor doing underground work struck a natural gas line.
     St. Luke's Hospital said it was treating two victims in critical condition, one with severe cuts and one with sever burns, plus six walk-ins. U of Kansas Hospital was treating five victims with one in critical condition and two in serious condition. All were injured by debris, not burned.
     At 10 pm cadaver dogs were combing the scene. Three people are missing. Owner Jimmy Frantze was en route to Kansas City from Oklahoma tonight.