Several Injured In Main Steet Explosion In Rochester

ROCHESTER, MI — Several people were injured in a propane tank explosion outside of a Main Street business Saturday night, and police are advising people to avoid the area.

Three people suffered serious injuries in the explosion while several more suffered minor injuries. The explosion happened at about 8:45 p.m. at a Main Street business between University and Fourth streets, according to the Rochester Police Department. The blast could be felt across the area.

"The scene is still under investigation but the cause is believed to be accidental," the Rochester Police Department announced on Facebook. "Main Street will be closed from Fourth to University for several hours until the area is safe again for travel."

Several ambulances and police vehicles converged on the scene shortly after the blast.

Mark Mendola, who owns of D'Marcos Restaurant, told FOX 2 he thinks it may have been a gas tank on an outdoor heat lamp at a nearby restaurant that triggered the blast.

"It just rattled everyone in the restaurant," he told the station.

Witnesses reported seeing a heat lamp tipped over and on fire before shortly before the explosion, ABC7 Detroit reported.

Additionally, police warned people not to click on video purporting to show the explosion circulating on social media including the Rochester Police Department Facebook page under the comments because the video contains malware.