5 Plantation blast victims intend to sue those accountable for explosion

23 injured in explosion at Market on University shopping center

PLANTATION, Fla. – An attorney with Morgan & Morgan announced Tuesday at a news conference that five people injured in Saturday's explosion at the Market on University shopping center in Plantation have hired the law firm to represent them in a lawsuit they intend to file against those found accountable for the blast.

The announcement comes just days after the explosion that injured 23 people, 19 of whom were hospitalized. Only one person remains in the hospital in fair condition at last check.

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It's unclear who the five victims intend to sue, as the investigation remains ongoing and authorities have not determined the official cause of the blast.

The blast is believed to have happened in the corner of the building at a shuttered pizza restaurant.

Teco People's Gas spokeswoman Cherie Jacobs confirmed someone had called the company Saturday morning to report a smell of gas in the area. The company was in the process of sending a crew to the shopping center when the blast occurred, she said.

"The cause of this explosion remains undetermined," Jacobs said. 

Authorities confirmed a ruptured gas line was discovered after the explosion, but have not said whether that is what caused the blast.


About the Authors:

Roy Ramos joined the Local 10 News team in 2018. Roy is a South Florida native who grew up in Florida City. He attended Christopher Columbus High School, Homestead Senior High School and graduated from St. Thomas University.

Amanda Batchelor is the Digital Executive Producer for Local10.com.