Natural gas explosion, massive fire destroys JJ's restaurant

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Critically injured gas worker sues MGE over JJ's Restaurant explosion
Critically injured gas worker sues MGE over JJ's Restaurant explosion
Updated: Friday, May 3 2013 8:48 PM EDT2013-05-04 00:48:14 GMT
The latest of several lawsuits was filed this week against Missouri Gas Energy after JJ's restaurant exploded from an apparent gas leak. A Heartland Midwest employee, who supervised the crew diggingMore >
The Heartland Midwest supervisor who called 911 after his company struck an unmarked gas line says Missouri Gas Energy should have evacuated the area and done more to cut off the flow of gas before an explosion ripped through JJ's Restaurant.More >
Pilot lights not turned off at JJ's Restaurant before explosion
Pilot lights not turned off at JJ's Restaurant before explosion
Updated: Thursday, March 14 2013 7:52 AM EDT2013-03-14 11:52:42 GMT
JJ's Restaurant employees did not turn off the pilot lights for the stove and hot water heater before an explosion ripped through the restaurant.The staff had extinguished all candles and pilot flames.TheMore >
JJ's Restaurant employees did not turn off the pilot lights for the stove and hot water heater before an explosion ripped through the restaurant. This allowed the ignition of built up gas from a punctured gas line outside the restaurant.
More >
PDF: KCFD JJ's Restaurant explosion final report
PDF: KCFD JJ's Restaurant explosion final report
Kansas City Fire releases 911 calls related to Plaza explosion
Kansas City Fire releases 911 calls related to Plaza explosion
Updated: Tuesday, March 5 2013 5:35 PM EST2013-03-05 22:35:56 GMT
The Kansas City Fire Department released late Monday afternoon almost 20 911 calls related to the explosion that rocked JJ's restaurant on the west side of the Country Club Plaza.The first 911 came atMore >
The Kansas City Fire Department released late Monday afternoon almost 20 911 calls related to the explosion that rocked JJ's restaurant on the west side of the Country Club Plaza.More >
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Contractor digging before JJ's explosion failed to get permit, city manager says
Contractor digging before JJ's explosion failed to get permit, city manager says
Updated: Tuesday, March 5 2013 5:31 PM EST2013-03-05 22:31:20 GMT
The company laying fiber optic cable outside JJ's last week when a massive gas explosion leveled the restaurant did not have an approved city permit for excavation, according to the city manager's office. HeartlandMore >
Kansas City officials say a cable company subcontractor suspected of rupturing a natural gas line before a deadly restaurant explosion didn't have an approved permit for the work.More >
Outpouring of support to JJ's restaurant staff after explosion
Outpouring of support to JJ's restaurant staff after explosion
Updated: Tuesday, March 5 2013 5:30 PM EST2013-03-05 22:30:59 GMT
Area residents and others have opened their hearts and wallets to help the staff of JJ's restaurant.A gas explosion ripped through JJ's Restaurant at 6:04 p.m. Feb. 19, killing waitress Megan Cramer andMore >
Area residents and others have opened their hearts and wallets to help the staff of JJ's restaurant, and the support continues to grow with the announcement of a trust fund established to further help.More >
KCTV5 investigates the risk buried below
KCTV5 investigates the risk buried below
Updated: Tuesday, March 5 2013 5:30 PM EST2013-03-05 22:30:23 GMT
It was four minutes past 6 p.m. on Feb. 19th when a massive explosion rocked the Country Club Plaza. Confused residents and business owners flocked into the street as flames and black smoke started billowingMore >
According to the Department of Transportation, since 1986 pipeline accidents have killed more than 500 people nationally and injured over 4,000. In the past ten years alone those accidents have taken four lives and injured 20 in Kansas, while one person died and six others were injured in Missouri.More >
'She loved and she was loved,' says father of server killed in Plaza explosion
'She loved and she was loved,' says father of server killed in Plaza explosion
Updated: Tuesday, March 5 2013 5:28 PM EST2013-03-05 22:28:12 GMT
The family within on of Kansas City's most well known restaurants is moving forward, saying goodbye to one of their own.A natural gas explosion at JJ's restaurant on Feb. 19 claimed the life of 46-year-oldMore >
Family, friends, co-workers and loved ones came together Monday afternoon to cry and smile at memories big and small of a dynamo woman: Megan Jennifer Cramer. The server was killed in an explosion.More >

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Mayor Sly James reacts to explosion
Mayor Sly James reacts to explosion
Kansas City Mayor Sly James spoke out about the explosion. (2/19/13)More >
JJ's employee Deidre Estes: "I thought I was going to die"
JJ's employee Deidre Estes: "I thought I was going to die"
Deidre Estes, a hostess at JJ's, told KCTV5 News she thought she was going die when the building exploded and then burst into flames. She spoke with the media as she came out of St. Luke's Hospital. (2/20/13)More >
Plaza gas explosion sends flames 100 feet into air
Plaza gas explosion sends flames 100 feet into air
The gas sent flames a few stories high into the night sky. More than 100 firefighters responded in total, said Berardi.More >
VIDEO
Mayor Sly James: 'We're not focused on property damage right now'
Mayor Sly James: 'We're not focused on property damage right now'
Kansas City officials say one of two people who were missing after an explosion destroyed a restaurant has been found but the search continues for a woman who worked there.More >
Dramatic surveillance video from travel agency across the street from JJ's
Dramatic surveillance video from travel agency across the street from JJ's
KCTV5's Sandra Olivas talked to business owners near the explosion about Tuesday night's fire. One man said he was inside JJ's having wine and he just barely escaped the blast. (2/20/13)
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Surveillance video captures JJ's restaurant explosion
Surveillance video captures JJ's restaurant explosion
Surveillance cameras at Shelton Travel Service captured the explosion at JJ's Restaurant.More >
Doctor says Plaza gas leak reported hours before 'big explosion'
Doctor says Plaza gas leak reported hours before 'big explosion'
A Kansas City doctor says Missouri Gas Energy was notified about a gas leak hours before an explosion rocked a popular restaurant on the Country Club Plaza. The doctor said one worker was smoking while checking out the strong natural gas smell in the neighborhood.More >
CHOPPER5 VIDEO: Early report from scene of explosion, fire
CHOPPER5 VIDEO: Early report from scene of explosion, fire
This is a report from Chopper5's Capt. Gregg Bourdon shortly after arriving over the scene in West Plaza. (2/19/13)More >

Firsthand AccountsMore>>
Restaurant hostess: 'I thought I was going to die'
Restaurant hostess: 'I thought I was going to die'
Updated: Tuesday, March 5 2013 8:29 PM EST2013-03-06 01:29:52 GMT
A JJs restaurant hostess said she thought she was going to die when an explosion rocked her restaurant Tuesday night, and she is frantic with fear for a missing friend."I thought I was going to die. Honestly,More >
A JJ's restaurant hostess said she thought she was going to die when an explosion rocked her restaurant Tuesday night, and she is frantic with fear for a missing friend and co-worker.
More >
Doctor says Plaza gas leak reported hours before 'big explosion'
Doctor says Plaza gas leak reported hours before 'big explosion'
Updated: Tuesday, March 5 2013 8:28 PM EST2013-03-06 01:28:55 GMT
A Kansas City doctor says Missouri Gas Energy was notified about a gas leak hours before an explosion rocked a popular restaurant on the Country Club Plaza. The doctor says crews had a lackadaisical attitude.More >
A Kansas City doctor says Missouri Gas Energy was notified about a gas leak hours before an explosion rocked a popular restaurant on the Country Club Plaza. The doctor said one worker was smoking while checking out the strong natural gas smell in the neighborhood.
More >
First responders, area hospitals talk about their involvement
First responders, area hospitals talk about their involvement
Area hospitals went into quick action preparing for victims to arrive Tuesday night. University of Kansas Hospital staff talked to KCTV5's Nima Shaffe the following day about their response and the kind of shock they saw. (2/20/13)
More >
Surrounding business owners talk about helping victims of JJ's explosion
Surrounding business owners talk about helping victims of JJ's explosion
The damage on the Plaza is obviously greatest at JJ's, but others were touched by the blast, and the aftermath as well. (2/20/13)
More >
VIDEO
Mayor: Authorities can't be '100 percent sure' that everyone is account for
Mayor: Authorities can't be '100 percent sure' that everyone is account for
Search crews at the site of a massive explosion that destroyed a popular Kansas City, Mo., restaurant have found the remains of one person, the city's mayor said Wednesday morning. Mayor Sly James declined to say whether the person was a man or a woman.More >
UPDATE
Fire Chief Paul Berardi: 'We are still searching for 1 victim'
Fire Chief Paul Berardi: 'We are still searching for 1 victim'
A natural gas explosion leveled the popular JJ's restaurant about 6 p.m. Tuesday on the Country Club Plaza. One person is still missing and 16 were injured.More >
RAW VIDEO
Mayor Sly James reacts to explosion
Mayor Sly James reacts to explosion
Kansas City Mayor Sly James spoke out about the explosion. (2/19/13)More >

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JJ's Restaurant destruction and aftermath
JJ's Restaurant destruction and aftermath
A day after JJ's Restaurant on the Country Club Plaza went up in flames following an explosion all that is left is a pile of rubble.More >
A day after JJ's Restaurant on the Country Club Plaza went up in flames following an explosion all that is left is a pile of rubble.More >
SLIDESHOW
Explosion destroys popular Plaza eatery
Explosion destroys popular Plaza eatery
Authorities are bringing in heavy equipment Wednesday to remove blackened rubble and aid their search for a missing employee of a popular Kansas City restaurant destroyed by a gas explosion and the ensuing inferno.More >
Authorities are bringing in heavy equipment Wednesday to remove blackened rubble and aid their search for a missing employee of a popular Kansas City restaurant destroyed by a gas explosion and the ensuing inferno.More >
Viewer Photos: Explosion and fire on Country Club Plaza
Viewer Photos: Explosion and fire on Country Club Plaza
Viewer-submitted photos of fire at JJ's on the Country Club Plaza. More >
Viewer-submitted photos of fire at JJ's on the Country Club Plaza. More >

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Several hurt after party bus wreak on U.S. Hwy. 71
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Unruly woman, belting out Whitney Houston songs, kicked off flight
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RAW VIDEO: A flight from L.A. to New York City made an emergency landing in Kansas City after an unruly passenger belted out Whitney Houston songs and disrupted the flight.More >
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Tornado watch in effect as strong thunderstorms impact Kansas City
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Updated: Sunday, May 19 2013 6:37 PM EDT2013-05-19 22:37:31 GMT
The National Weather Service has placed the entire Kansas City area in a moderate risk for severe weather Sunday. Large hail and isolated tornadoes are possible.More >
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Severe weather outbreak expected Sunday afternoon
Severe weather outbreak expected Sunday afternoon
Updated: Sunday, May 19 2013 11:52 AM EDT2013-05-19 15:52:39 GMT
The National Weather Service says there is a slight risk for severe weather on Sunday, and isolated tornadoes and supercell storms are possible.The threat for severe weather will continue into Monday.StormsMore >
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Bank on the Country Club Plaza robbed
Bank on the Country Club Plaza robbed
Updated: Saturday, May 18 2013 7:40 PM EDT2013-05-18 23:40:22 GMT
A bank on the Country Club Plaza was robbed Saturday afternoon. The FBI reported the Commerce Bank located at 47th Street and Wornall Road was robbed.They have provided little details about a suspect descriptionMore >
A bank on the Country Club Plaza was robbed Saturday afternoon.More >
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Natural gas explosion, massive fire destroys JJ's restaurant - KCTV5

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