2 dead, 150 injured in Florida jail explosion

An explosion at a Pensacola, Florida jail last night injured over 150 and killed two, reports local media. Around 600 people were in the booking area at the Escambia County jail when an apparent gas explosion rocked the building shortly after 11 p.m.

The explosion caused the building to partially collapse and none of those hurt suffered life-threatening injuries. While the total number of injured is not yet clear, 155 patients — both inmates and jail employees — were treated at local hospitals, according to CNN, with the most common complaint being neck and back pain. The inmates who weren't hurt were transferred to other jails.

An official said the building was "heavily damaged" by the recent string of record-breaking storms that deluged the Florida panhandle, although it's unclear if that is related. Search and rescue work is still ongoing. --Jordan Valinsky

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