POSTED: 8:47 pm CST January 12, 2005 UPDATED: 9:34 pm CST January 12, 2005
CHICAGO -- An explosion was reported Wednesday evening at the Ford City Mall, located at 76th and Cicero. Police spokesman Carlos Herrera says the explosion occurred near a Pearle Vision store in the mall. The mall was evacuated.
One woman who was inside the mall spoke with NBC5 over the phone after the explosion. "I was inside the mall and we were shopping there, and we heard the big explosion, which happened at about 8:30 (p.m.). Everybody ran outside the mall, the alarm went off," the woman said. "There's about 100 square feet that's blowed up."
Initial reports indicated that several cars were overturned, and several people were hurt. The witness said she saw "a lot" of injured people.
Emergency crews were dispatched to the scene, and a Level 1 hazmat situation was declared. Five ambulances were also sent to the mall. Several people have been taken to area hospitals.
Watch NBC5 and refresh this page for updates on this developing story.
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Thank you A41, couldn't find the story, it came on local programming