Gas smelled at 1:00 pm before explosion. Contradicts Car hitting gas main.

[chowder66]

Just now on kctv5 regarding the plaza explosion.

Someone reported a strong gas smell. Later an office building was evacuated.

[nadinbrzezinski]

1. So infrastructure might be it after all

A fire log should settle that.

[canonfodder]

2. Doesn't appear to be

From the LA Times.

"Berardi said firefighters were called at about 5:15 p.m. with a report that a construction worker had hit a gas line near the restaurant. Firefighters talked to utility workers and left the area. The explosion took place about 45 minutes later and the fire burned for about 50 minutes until it was brought under control, the fire chief said.

The utility, Missouri Gas Energy, which supplies the area, said in a statement that “early indications are that a contractor doing underground work struck a natural gas line.”"

http://www.latimes.com/news/nation/nationnow/la-na-nn-one-missing-in-kansas-city-gas-explosion-and-fire-20130220,0,5987826.story

Best to wait for the actual report.