Gas explosion levels Mass. building; several hurt

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (AP) -- Authorities say a natural gas explosion in one of New England's biggest cities has destroyed two buildings but hasn't killed anyone.

They say firefighters and gas company workers are among more than a dozen injured people.

The explosion in a downtown area of Springfield blew out all windows in a three-block radius, leaving three more buildings damaged beyond repair and prompting emergency workers to evacuate a six-story apartment building that was buckling.

Police Sgt. John Delaney says it looks as though there was a missile strike where the explosion leveled the multistory building at its epicenter.

Officials at two nearby hospitals say a total of 16 victims were transported with injuries but none was critical.

Firefighters responded to the scene at 4:20 p.m. and were investigating a gas leak when the blast happened shortly after 5 p.m.