Fourteen people have been injured after an explosion caused a fire near a Kansas City restaurant.

Police officials said a gas explosion and resultant fire engulfed a restaurant in Missouri.

The explosion shook the Country Club Plaza, an upscale shopping mall just south of downtown Kansas City.

Witnesses said at least 12 ambulances swarmed the scene, as firefighters battled the flames.

Nine people were taken to hospitals, two with life-threatening injuries.

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