Chaos ensues in Florida as massive explosion strikes shopping center

While the west coast is experiencing a harrowing series of earthquakes that have persisted since Independence Day, the fine people of Florida are being rocked as well.

Hours ago, a massive explosion shattered the tranquility of a Saturday morning shopping spree in Plantation, Florida.

The explosion happened around noon at The Fountains, a shopping center in Plantation, a suburb in Broward County, north of Miami.

Video from the scene appears to show windows blown out of an LA Fitness gym and wreckage scattered across the ground.

The explosion sent large pieces of debris about 100 yards across the street, the Associated Press reported.

Images of the scene were devastating, with locals calling the damage “apocalyptic”.

#BREAKINGNEWS: Huge explosion reported in Plantation, Florida. Rescue crews are on the scene. The images are insane: pic.twitter.com/7efQ9GY2Pb

— kendis gibson (@kendisgibson) July 6, 2019

Screenshots from footage shared on Snapchat after a gas explosion in Plantation, Florida. pic.twitter.com/TBOqybdQcC

— David Mack (@davidmackau) July 6, 2019

Aftermath of a gas explosion ? in Plantation, Florida @LAFitness gym. Eye witnesses are saying explosion seem to have originated from vacant restaurant nearby. #LaFitness #Florida #Explosion pic.twitter.com/JTXcB99pxb

— Javheer (@javheer) July 6, 2019

Authorities have indicated that they believe the explosion was caused a natural gas accident.

Multiple “patients” have been reported from the harrowing scene.

'Multiple patients' in explosion at Plantation, #Florida, shopping center: 'It just looks like an apocalypse' – ABC News – https://t.co/0DJcgf4BCC via @ABC

— Larry StCroix (@LarryStCroix) July 6, 2019

Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Florida as they begin to sort through this incident.